FA-0632Software Development

Java for Beginners

From JShell experiments to a small Java application

Learn Java fundamentals, methods, objects, files and basic database access through short exercises and a guided project.

Introduction

Why this course

This three-day beginner course develops the foundations for writing and understanding small Java programs. Participants begin with JShell experiments, then compile and run code in a selected IDE and practise object-oriented programming.

The final day combines basic file and database access in a prepared small application. Libraries, packaging and deployment are introduced at demonstration or guided-exercise level; framework selection, enterprise applications and independent production deployment are not promised after three days.

Learning outcomes

The course teaches participants to:

Describe common Java uses and recognise that platforms and frameworks have different requirements.
Experiment with variables, expressions, operators and control flow in JShell.
Write reusable methods and compile, run and debug a small Java program.
Create classes and objects using constructors, encapsulation and simple abstractions.
Use a prepared external library and inspect a simple packaged Java library.
Apply basic file and database operations in a guided project.
Explain and demonstrate the build, test and local-run workflow for the project.

Prerequisites

No prior Java experience is required; familiarity with using a computer and basic problem-solving is helpful.
A prepared compatible JDK with JShell, a selected IDE and the supplied project dependencies.
A disposable training database for the guided database-access example.

Training outline

3 modules

01Day 1 — Java and Programming Foundations1 topics

Java Uses and Platform Choices

Overview of Java
Compare Java application contexts and their platform/framework requirements at awareness level.
- Java for application development
- Java in Android development: recognise that mobile tools and runtime requirements differ from a standard desktop JDK.
- Java for Web Application development
- Java as in integration tool

Coding Principles

Algorithms
Flow
Logic
Subroutines
Dependencies
Variables, object references and automatic memory management at introductory level.

JShell Exercises

Hello World
Arithmetic operations.
Basic I/O
Simple value and text manipulation.
Expressions
Variables
Data Types

Operators
Conditions
Loops

02Day 2 — Methods, Tools and Objects1 topics

Methods

Creation
Reusability
Arguments
Expressions

Build and Run Workflow

Compiling
Simple Deployment
IDE
- Overview of Eclipse tooling.
- Overview of IntelliJ IDEA tooling.
- Use one selected IDE for the exercises; compare tool choices briefly.

Integration and Object-Oriented Programming

Use a prepared external library and inspect a simple library package.
Introduction to OOP
Practise a small class design rather than advanced object-oriented patterns.
Refactoring
Creating Objects from Classes

03Day 3 — Objects, Data and Guided Project8 topics

I/O within Classes
Encapsulation in coding
Getters and Setters
Properties and methods
Simple abstractions illustrated by a small interface or class example.
Constructors
File access
Basic database access in a prepared disposable environment.

Project and Assessment

Complete one prepared small application, use a supplied library, inspect its packaging and demonstrate a local build/run workflow. Review selected code and diagnose a prepared error.

A programme built around your team.

Share your training goals and requirements.