Writing Classes

Class

When a group of statements, such as control structures, are all put together to be referred to this.

Indentations

It needs to be correctly indented for the code to be considered a part of the class.

Variable declarations

are found at the top of the code right after the header.

.java extension

lets the compiler recognize the file as containing java code.

.java file

is called the source code for a program because it defines the program’s actions and functions.

Method

A group of code that performs a specific task.

Driver class

A class that is created to control a larger program

Object class

This class houses the “guts” of the methods that the driver class calls.

Java

is a descendent of the object class in the Java language.

Java language

Every class in Java is a descendent of the object class in the

Header

It’s used to define the function of the method.

Constructor

They set an object's initial values for instance variables.

Parameters

(these are optional) They are data that the method needs to function properly.

instance variables, or fields

Three attributes in order for the code to function correctly.

Visibility

is if the method is public or private.

Return type

specifies the type of data that will be returned from the methods after its commands are executed.

Method name

is the name of the method.

Overloading

writing multiple methods that perform the same task, but require different information, or parameters to to something.

Precondition

A comment that is intended to inform the user more about the condition of the method and guarantees it to be true.

Postcondition

A condition that must always be true just after the execution of a section of code, or after an operation in a formal specification.

Composition

In order for the classes to come together and have the program function properly, they need to work together properly.

Driver and object classes

must be in the same folder on the computer.

Programmer

has to take on the responsibility of deciding which objects to instantiate and to which types and when to use them, and how they are used based on the needs of the class.

Aggregate class

Made up of other data, and instances of other classes.

this

is a keyword used to reference the current calling object and may be used as an object variable.

Static variable

is an attribute that is shared among all instances of a class.

Non-constructor

method that is designed to access or modify a static variable is a static method.