Computer Programming Design Final Exam Review

Primitive Type

Basic data types like int, float, char, and boolean that store simple values directly in memory.

Reference Type

Data types that refer to objects (e.g., arrays, classes) and store memory addresses, not actual values.

Runtime Heap

Memory area where objects are dynamically allocated during runtime.

Runtime Stack

Memory structure that keeps track of method calls, including local variables and method invocations.

Activation Record (Stack Frame)

Represents a single method call in the runtime stack, containing its local variables and return address.

Call by Value

Passing a copy of the variable's value to a method. Changes in the method don't affect the original variable.

Call by Reference

Passing a reference (address) to the variable, allowing modifications within the method to affect the original object.

Method Abstraction

Hides the implementation details of a method, focusing on its purpose or usage.

Method Header

The declaration line of a method (e.g., public void myMethod(int x)).

Method Body

The code block inside a method that defines its functionality.

Method Signature

Includes the method's name and parameter list; used to identify the method uniquely.

Formal Parameter

Variables listed in the method's header.

Actual Parameter/Argument

Values or expressions passed to the method during a call.

Java Virtual Machine (JVM)

Executes Java bytecode, providing platform independence.

.java (Source File)

File containing Java source code.

.class (Bytecode)

Compiled Java code, executed by the JVM.

Bytecode

Intermediate, platform-independent code generated by the Java compiler.

Flushing

Forcing the output buffer to write its contents to the destination (e.g., System.out.flush()).

GPS / Driver / Car Analogy

Explains abstraction, encapsulation, and modularity (e.g., user interacts with GPS without knowing internals).

User / Application / Computer

Highlights the layered interaction of software and hardware.

Compiler (javac)

Translates Java source code into bytecode.

Operating System

The platform running the JVM (e.g., Windows, Linux, macOS).

Hardware

The physical machine executing the JVM and application.

JDK (Java Development Kit)

Includes tools like compiler, libraries, and JVM for developing Java applications.

SDK (Software Development Kit)

A set of tools for building software in a specific environment.

Block

A set of code enclosed in braces {}.

Access Modifiers

Control visibility (public, protected, default, private).

Return Statement

Specifies the output of a method and ends its execution.

Assertions

Used for debugging to validate assumptions (assert x > 0).

Test Harness

Framework to test software components in isolation.

Void

Indicates a method doesn't return a value.

Unit Testing

Testing individual components or methods.

Stub

A minimal implementation used for testing.

Modular Development

Dividing software into independent, reusable modules.

Incremental Development

Building and testing software in small, manageable increments.

Testbench

Simulates inputs/outputs to test code.

Test Vector

Set of inputs and expected outputs for testing.

Assert Operator

Used in assertions to verify conditions.

Class

A blueprint for objects, defining fields (properties) and methods.

Object

An instance of a class, combining data and behavior.

Encapsulation

Hiding internal details and exposing only what's necessary via getters/setters.

Getter/Setter (Mutator/Accessor)

Methods to read/write object fields.

Overloading

Multiple methods with the same name but different parameter lists.

Overriding

Redefining a method in a subclass.

This

A reference to the current object.

Inheritance

Subclasses inheriting behavior and properties from a superclass.

Polymorphism

The ability to process objects of different types through a common interface.

UML Class Diagram

Visual representation of classes, relationships, and structure.

ArrayList vs. Array

ArrayList is dynamic; arrays have fixed size.

Perfect Size Array

An array sized to exactly fit its elements.

Oversize Array

An array with extra capacity to avoid resizing.

PrintStream

Writes data to an output destination.

Buffer

Temporary storage area for data.

System.out

Default output stream.

InputStream

Reads data from a source.

PrintWriter

Writes formatted output to text files.

FileInputStream/FileOutputStream

Reads/writes binary data from/to files.

Try/Catch Block

Handles runtime exceptions.

Throw Statement

Explicitly throws an exception.

Throws

Declares exceptions a method can throw.

Finally Block

Executes code regardless of whether an exception occurred.

Checked vs. Unchecked Exceptions

Checked (compile-time); Unchecked (runtime).

Wrapper Classes

Convert primitives to objects (e.g., Integer for int).

Autoboxing/Unboxing

Automatic conversion between primitives and wrappers.

Static

Indicates one copy of a variable/method exists for all instances.

Instance Method

A method that operates on an object instance.

Deep Copy

Deep copy duplicates all fields

Garbage Collection

Automatic memory management by JVM.

Java Collections Framework

Classes and interfaces for data structures.

Constructor Chaining

Calling one constructor from another in the same class.

GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces)

Visual interfaces for users to interact with the application.

Application

A base JavaFX class that must be extended to create a JavaFX program. The start(Stage primaryStage) method is overridden to define the main UI.

Stage

Represents the primary window or a secondary window in a JavaFX application. is a top level container that contains all content within a window (exit button, maximize, minimize)

Scene

Represents the content inside a Stage. It can contain a hierarchical arrangement of nodes.

Pane

A base class for layout managers (e.g., GridPane, VBox, HBox) used to arrange UI components.

TextField

A GUI component for text input.

Button

A clickable UI component that can trigger actions.

Label

Displays non-editable text or content in the GUI.

GridPane

A layout that arranges components in a grid of rows and columns.

ActionEvent

Represents an event triggered by user interaction, such as clicking a button.

EventHandler

An interface for handling events, often implemented via lambda expressions.

Alerts

Predefined pop-ups for showing messages, warnings, or errors.

AlertType(s)

Enum defining the types of alerts (INFORMATION, WARNING, ERROR, etc.).

Canvas

A node for drawing custom graphics via the GraphicsContext.

GraphicsContext

Provides methods for drawing shapes, images, and text on a Canvas.

VBox

Places the nodes in a single column

Hbox

Places the nodes in a single row

BorderPane

Places the nodes in the top, right, bottom, left, and center regions.

StackPane

JavaFX pane that automatically centers children and lays them out by setting one on top of another.

GridPane

a JavaFX Pane component that positions graphical components in a two-dimensional grid

Dynamic binding

type of object is not determined until run-time

Method Binding

the process of matching a method call with the correct method

API (Application Programming Interface)

Software definition that describes operating system calls for application software; conventions defining how a service is invoked.

Shallow Copy

Creating a copy of an object by copying only the data members' values

String Buffer

Class used to create + manipulate mutable strings (is sync'd + used for multi thread enviroments)

Mouse Listener

an interface used to handle mouse motion event; i.e. when the mouse is moved or dragged within a computer

Lambda Expression

shorthand notation for writing anonymous methods (i.e. methods that don't have a name)

JavaFx

a set of packages and APIs for developing programs with graphical user interfaces, 3D graphics, etc

Interning

refers to the process of storing only one copy of each distinct string value in memory

Concrete

isn't abstract + can be instantiated