Java Basic Structure and Syntax Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental structure, syntax rules, naming conventions, and execution flow of basic Java programs.

main() method

The special method that serves as the entry point where every Java application begins execution.

Class Declaration

A structure that serves as the container for the members of a Java program, beginning with a header and enclosed in braces.

keyword class

The specific Java keyword used to indicate that a class is being declared.

Case-sensitivity

A characteristic of Java where names like Welcome.java and welcome.java are treated as different names.

Statement

A complete instruction that tells the program to perform an action, typically ending with a semicolon.

Semicolon (;)

The symbol used to mark the end of a Java instruction.

Block

A group of code enclosed in braces { } that marks the boundaries of classes or methods.

Keywords

Reserved words like public, class, static, and void that have specific meanings in Java and cannot be used as names for classes or methods.

Identifier

A name created for a program element (like a class or method) which can contain letters, digits, underscores, and dollar signs but cannot start with a digit.

PascalCase

A naming convention where each word begins with an uppercase letter, normally used for Java class names.

camelCase

A naming convention where the first word begins with a lowercase letter and subsequent words begin with an uppercase letter, normally used for method names.

Indentation

The use of consistent spacing to visually show which statements belong to a specific class or method.

Program Execution

The order in which the instructions of a running program are carried out.

Sequential Execution

The process where statements inside a method are performed from top to bottom, one finishing before the next begins.

Method Call

An instruction consisting of a method name, parentheses, and a semicolon that temporarily transfers execution to another method.

Tracing

The process of following a program one statement at a time to predict its output.

void

A keyword in a method header indicating that the method finishes without returning a value.

static

A keyword that allows a method to be called directly from the static main() method.

Method Body

The portion of a method declaration enclosed in braces that contains the statements performed when the method is called.

Reuse

The benefit of methods that allows the same task to be performed through repeated calls, reducing repeated code.