Prelims

computer program

• A sequential set of instructions, known as code, is written or “programmed” in a computer language to let the computer perform a specific computation task.

computer language

• a set of grammatical rules that commands a computer or a device to behave in a specific way. It also refers to a programming language.

Programming Paradigms

• “paradigm” is synonymous with “pattern.”

• refer to the different approaches to structuring and organizing code.

• provide a conceptual framework for solving problems and designing software.

Procedural Programming

• also called imperative programming

• Focuses on organizing code into reusable procedures or functions, emphasizing the sequence of steps to execute a program.

Object-oriented programming (OOP)

• revolves around the concepts of objects that encapsulate data and behavior, promoting modularity, code reusability, and scalability.

Functional Programming

• Treats computations as evaluating mathematical functions, emphasizing consistency, and avoiding side effects.

Low-level Language

• Closer to machine code and hardware in terms of syntax.

• Provides direct control over the computers hardware and resources, allowing programmer to write codes at a more detailed level.

Assembly Language

• uses specific instructions to control a computers hardware.

• uses mnemonic code which are symbolic representations, to make machine instruction more human-readable compared to binary code.

Machine Language

• all instructions are written as binary code (1’s and 0’s)

High-level Language

• designed to be easy for humans to read, write, and understand, allowing programmers to write computer programs and interact with a computer system without needing specific knowledge about the processor or hardware.

Syntax

• set of rules defining the various combinations and arrangements of symbols or characters to create a valid statement in a language.

Command

• unique instruction given to a computer application to perform a task of a function such as “print” to display text on the screen.

integrated Development Environment (IDE)

• software application for formatting the code, checking the syntax, and running and testing the code.

• IDEs can work with multiple programming languages, while some are specific to only one language.

Library

• collection of useful resources, such as objects and functions, that can be used individually and must be configured to work together.

• It is pre-built or installed in an IDE or Integrated Development Environment.

Interpreter

• program that directly executes instructions in a high-level language without converting them into a machine language.

Assembler

• program that converts instructions written in low-level assembly code into relocatable machine language.

Compiler

• program that converts high-level languages into machine readable code that a computer can execute.

algorithm

• set of steps that generates a finite sequence of simple computational operations leading to the solution of a given problem.

• It must be expressed in a natural language that anyone can follow, such as directions that can be written in English.

Process of algorithm

1. Problem Analysis – evaluating and outlining the problem and its solution requirements

2. Algorithm Design – designing an algorithm to solve problems.

3. Coding – implementing the algorithm in a programming language.

4. Execution – verifying whether the algorithm works or not

Problem Analysis

• evaluating and outlining the problem and its solution requirements

Algorithm Design

• designing an algorithm to solve problems.

Coding

• implementing the algorithm in a programming language.

Execution

• verifying whether the algorithm works or not.

Pseudocode

• A technique used to describe the distinct steps of an algorithm, making it easier to understand for anyone with basic programming knowledge.

• used as a blueprint for programming

Flowchart

• diagrammatic representation of the steps of an algorithm.

• pictorial representation that can be used as a substitute for an algorithm, as a textual description of an algorithm may not be understood easily.

Program flowcharts

• illustrate the logical steps in a software program or programming task to understand a process, workflow, or algorithm.

System flowcharts

• show how parts of a system work together by displaying the data flow and how decisions can affect the events surrounding it.

Java

• free-to-use and highly dynamic high-level programming language for coding programs such as web applications, mobile applications, enterprise software, big data applications, and server-side technologies.

Who created Java

• Sun Microsystem 1995

Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

• software that Java programs require to run correctly.

• provides the class libraries and other resources

  that any Java program needs.

• subset of JDK

Active Community Support

• Due to its popularity and longevity, java has many active users and a community that can support developers

High-Quality Learning Resources

• learning resources such as detailed documentation, comprehensive boos, and courses are available to new programmers for additional support

Inbuilt Functions and Libraries

• Developers does not need to write new functions from scratch as java provides a rich ecosystem of built-in functions and libraries to develop various application.

Security

• Java security levels and restrictions are highly configurable; because of this, even untrusted code cannot harm the system

Platform Independent

• can be written once and be used on every platform

• Feature is called WORA (write once, run anywhere)

Java Virtual Machine (JVM)

• virtual machine that runs Java applications as a run-time engine.

Compilers (JVM)

• Written in natural English-like syntax

• it translate the entire code into machine language

• Converts source code into a binary program bytecode

Interpreters (JVM)

• checks the bytecode and communicates with the operating system executing the code line by line.

Java APIs (Application Programming Interface)

• Software that is bundled with the Java platform.

• pre-written Java programs that plug and play existing functionality into code, such as getting the time and date

A class

• basic unit of a Java program.

• Defines a group of object that includes data members, which are places to store data

identifier

• Name given to a program component, such as class, object, or variable.

Reserved Words

• or keywords

• specials words significant to the Java compiler