Java Code Examples

 






Java Code Examples: Fundamental Concepts for Beginners

Alright, let's talk about Java! This is a seriously powerful programming language that's everywhere – it powers Android apps, huge enterprise systems, and a ton of web applications. While it might seem a bit more structured than Python at first glance, its strength lies in its robustness and "write once, run anywhere" philosophy.

Java is an Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) language, which means it revolves around the concept of "objects." Don't worry if that sounds confusing now; we'll break down the basics with some simple code examples.

1. Your First Java Program (Hello World!)

Every Java program starts with a main method. This is where your program begins executing.

Java

public class HelloWorld {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        System.out.println("Hello, Java World!");

    }

}


What's happening here?

  • public class HelloWorld: This defines a class named HelloWorld. In Java, almost all code lives inside classes.

  • public static void main(String[] args): This is the main method. It's the entry point of your program.

    • public: Means it can be accessed from anywhere.

    • static: Means you don't need to create an object of the HelloWorld class to run this method.

    • void: Means the method doesn't return any value.

    • String[] args: Allows you to pass command-line arguments (we won't worry about this now).

  • System.out.println("Hello, Java World!");: This line prints the text "Hello, Java World!" to the console.

2. Variables and Data Types: Storing Data

Unlike Python, Java is statically typed, meaning you have to tell Java what kind of data each variable will hold (e.g., a whole number, a decimal, text).

Java

public class VariablesExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        // Storing whole numbers (integers)

        int age = 25;


        // Storing decimal numbers (doubles are common for this)

        double price = 19.99;


        // Storing text (String is a class, not a primitive type)

        String customerName = "Sunil";


        // Storing a single character

        char initial = 'S';


        // Storing true/false values (boolean)

        boolean isActive = true;


        System.out.println("Name: " + customerName);

        System.out.println("Age: " + age);

        System.out.println("Price: " + price);

        System.out.println("Initial: " + initial);

        System.out.println("Active: " + isActive);

    }

}


What's happening here?

  • We declare the type of the variable (int, double, String, char, boolean) before its name.

  • The + sign when used with Strings is for concatenation (joining text together).

3. Conditional Statements (If, Else If, Else): Decision Making

Java uses if, else if, and else just like many other languages to make decisions.

Java

public class ConditionalExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        int score = 85;


        if (score >= 90) {

            System.out.println("Grade: A");

        } else if (score >= 80) { // If not A, check if B

            System.out.println("Grade: B");

        } else if (score >= 70) { // If not B, check if C

            System.out.println("Grade: C");

        } else { // If none of the above

            System.out.println("Grade: F");

        }

    }

}


What's happening here?

  • The conditions inside () are evaluated.

  • The code inside curly braces {} runs if the condition is true.

  • Java doesn't use indentation for code blocks like Python; it uses {}.

4. Loops: Repeating Actions

Java has for and while loops, similar to Python, but with slightly different syntax.

For Loop: Best when you know how many times to repeat

Java

public class ForLoopExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        // Loop from 0 to 4

        for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {

            System.out.println("Count: " + i);

        }


        // Looping through an array (like a list)

        String[] colors = {"Red", "Green", "Blue"};

        for (String color : colors) { // Enhanced for loop (like Python's for-in)

            System.out.println("Color: " + color);

        }

    }

}


While Loop: Repeats as long as a condition is true

Java

public class WhileLoopExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        int counter = 0;

        while (counter < 3) {

            System.out.println("Counter is: " + counter);

            counter++; // Shorthand for counter = counter + 1

        }

    }

}


What's happening here?

  • for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++):

    • int i = 0: Initializes a counter i to 0.

    • i < 5: The loop continues as long as i is less than 5.

    • i++: Increments i by 1 after each loop iteration.

  • counter++: This is a shorthand way to add 1 to counter.

5. Methods: Reusable Code Blocks (Functions in Java-speak)

In Java, functions are called methods, and they usually belong to a class.

Java

public class MethodsExample {


    // A simple method that greets someone

    public static void greet(String name) {

        System.out.println("Hello, " + name + "!");

    }


    // A method that adds two numbers and returns the result

    public static int addNumbers(int a, int b) {

        int sum = a + b;

        return sum; // Returns the integer sum

    }


    public static void main(String[] args) {

        // Calling the greet method

        greet("Priya");

        greet("Dasun");


        // Calling the addNumbers method and storing the result

        int total = addNumbers(15, 20);

        System.out.println("The total is: " + total);

    }

}


What's happening here?

  • public static void greet(String name):

    • void: Means this method doesn't return any value.

    • String name: It accepts one argument, which must be a String.

  • public static int addNumbers(int a, int b):

    • int: Means this method will return an integer value.

    • int a, int b: It accepts two integer arguments.

  • return sum;: This sends the value of sum back to wherever the method was called.


Getting Started with Java

Java might feel a bit more strict initially, but that structure is what makes it so robust for large-scale applications. You'll often need a Java Development Kit (JDK) to compile and run your Java code. Keep practicing with these basics, and you'll soon grasp the core concepts!


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