2

What Is a Java
Program?

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Objectives

After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

• Contrast the terms “platform-dependent” and “platform-independent”
• Describe the purpose of the JVM
• Explain the difference between a procedural program and an object-oriented program
• Describe the purpose of javac and java executables
• Verify the Java version on your system
• Compile and run a Java program from the command line

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Topics

• Introduction to computer programs

• Introduction to the Java language
• Verifying the Java development environments
• Running and testing a Java program

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Purpose of a Computer Program

A computer program is a set of instructions that run on a computer or other digital device.
• At the machine level, the program consists of binary instructions (1s and 0s).
– Machine code
• Most programs are written in high-level code (readable).
– Must be translated to machine code

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Translating High-Level Code to Machine Code

Solaris OS
C Compiler

Solaris OS Binary

Linux
C Compiler
Linux Binary
C Code

Microsoft Windows
C Compiler
Microsoft Windows
Binary

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Linked to Platform-Specific Libraries

Project
Libraries
Solaris OS
C Compiler

Solaris OS Binary Solaris OS Executable

Project
Libraries

Linux
C Compiler
Linux Binary Linux Executable

Project
Libraries

Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows C Compiler Microsoft Windows
Binary Executable

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Platform-Dependent Programs

Solaris OS Executable Solaris OS Workstation

Linux Executable Linux Workstation

Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows Workstation

Executable

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Topics

• Introduction to computer programs

• Introduction to the Java language
• Verifying the Java development environment
• Running and testing a Java program

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Key Features of the Java Language

Some of the features that set Java apart from most other languages are that:
• It is platform-independent
• It is object-oriented

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Java Is Platform-Independent

Java Code

Library Java Compiler

JARs
Java
Bytecode

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Java Programs Run In a Java Virtual Machine
JRE

Solaris OS
Java
Workstation
Bytecode
(.class file)
JRE

Linux
JRE Workstation

Java Virtual
Machine
(JVM)
Microsoft Windows
Workstation

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Procedural Programming Languages

1 Step 1
• Many early programming languages followed a
paradigm called Procedural Programming.
• These languages use a sequential pattern of program 2 Step 2

execution.
• Drawbacks to procedural programming: 3 Step 3
– Difficult to translate real-world use cases
to a sequential pattern
– Difficult to maintain programs 4 Step 4

– Difficult to enhance as needed

5 Step 5

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Java Is an Object-Oriented Language

• Interaction of objects
• No prescribed sequence
• Benefits:
– Modularity
– Information hiding
– Code reuse
– Maintainability

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Topics

• Introduction to computer programs

• Introduction to the Java language
• Verifying the Java development environment
• Running and testing a Java program

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Verifying the Java Development Environment

1. Download and install the Java Development Kit (JDK) from oracle.com/java.
2. Examine the environment.
3. Compile and run a Java application by using the command line.

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Examining the Installed JDK: The Tools

PATH
points
here

Runtime

Compiler

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Topics

• Introduction to computer programs

• Introduction to the Java language
• Verifying the Java development environment
• Running and testing a Java program

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Compiling and Running a Java Program

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.java javac .class java

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Compiling a Program

1. Go to the directory where the source code files are stored.

2. Enter the following command for each .java file you want to compile.

• Syntax:

javac <source file>

• Example:

javac SayHello.java

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Executing (Testing) a Program

1. Go to the directory where the class files are stored.

2. Enter the following for the class file that contains the main method:

• Syntax:

java <classname>

• Example: Do not specify .class.

java SayHello

• Output:

Hello World!

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Output for a Java Program

A Java program can output data in many ways. Here are some examples:
• To a file or database
• To the console
• To a webpage or other user interface

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Exercise 2-1

• From a Terminal window, enter java –version to see the system’s Java version.
• Look for SayHello.java in:
/labs/02-GettingStarted/Exercises/Exercise1
• Compile it: javac SayHello.java
• Run the resulting class file: java SayHello
—
Did you see the output?

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JDK 11: Launch Single-File Source-Code Programs
Circle.java
Benefits: public class Test {
• Skip the compilation "ceremony". public static void main(String args[]) {
double area = Circle.findArea(7.5);
• Run a program with one quick command:
System.out.print("Area of circle=" +area);
java <source file> }
}
Requirements:
• Write the entire program as single source file. public class Circle {
public static double findArea(double radius){
• The file may contain any number of classes.
return Math.PI * radius * radius;
• The top-most class declares a main method. }
}
Use Cases:
• Experiment quickly to learn Java. java Circle.java
• Write small utility or "shebang" files. Area of circle=176.714…

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Exercise 2-2

• In a terminal window:
• Look for Circle.java in:
/labs/02-GettingStarted/Exercises/Exercise2
• Run the file: java Circle.java
• Did you see the output?
• Do you see any bytecode file produced?

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Quiz Q
Which of the following is correct? (Choose all that apply.)
a. javac OrderClass
b. java OrderClass
c. javac OrderClass.java
d. java OrderClass.java

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Summary

In this lesson, you should have learned how to:

• Describe the distinction between high-level language and machine code
• Describe what platform-independence means
• Describe how a Java program is compiled and to what format
• Explain what it means to say that Java is an object-oriented language
• Determine the version number of a Java install
• Compile and run a Java program from the command line

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