Java Programming Core Concepts

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining core Java programming concepts based on the provided lecture notes.

Classes

Blueprints that define the structure and behavior of objects. Every Java program is built from classes.

Objects

Instances created from classes; they hold state (variables) and behavior (methods).

Methods

Blocks of code that perform actions. The main() method is the entry point of a Java program.

Variables

Named memory locations that store data. They can be instance-level or static (shared across all objects).

Data_Types

Define the kind of data a variable can hold (e.g., int, double, boolean, String).

Operators

Symbols that perform operations on variables and values (e.g., +, -, *, /).

Statements

Individual instructions ending with a semicolon; they form the logic inside methods.

Control_Flow

Structures like if, for, while, and switch that control how code executes.

Packages

Organizational units that group related classes and interfaces, preventing naming conflicts.

Interfaces

Contracts that define methods a class must implement.

Inheritance

Allows one class to acquire the properties and behaviors of another, enabling code reuse and hierarchical design.

Polymorphism

Lets methods behave differently depending on the object calling them; includes method overriding and overloading.

Abstract_Classes

Classes that cannot be instantiated and often contain incomplete methods meant to be implemented by subclasses.

Encapsulation

Protects data by bundling variables and methods together and restricting access using private fields and getters/setters.

Exception_Handling

Manages runtime errors using try, catch, finally, and custom exceptions to keep programs stable.

Generics

Enables typesafe data structures and methods, like ArrayList, preventing type errors at compile time.

Collections_Framework

A powerful set of interfaces and classes (List, Set, Map) for storing and manipulating groups of data.

Multithreading

Allows multiple tasks to run concurrently using Thread or Runnable, improving performance in complex programs.

Lambda_Expressions

Short, functional-style syntax for writing concise behavior, often used with streams and collections.

Streams_API

Provides a functional approach to processing data with operations like filter, map, and reduce.

Annotations

Metadata that gives instructions to the compiler or frameworks (e.g., @Override, @Deprecated).

Enums

Special classes that define fixed sets of constants, improving readability and preventing invalid values.