Course Overview

Getting Started with Programming, OO and Java Basics for Non-Developers is a skills-focused, hands-on coding course that teaches you the fundamentals of programming object oriented (OO) applications with Java to a basic level, using sound coding skills and best practices for OO development. 

Learning how to code and become a modern software developer is like trying to learn and become fluent in a new spoken language. Learning any new language takes study, practice, more study, and more practice, to truly be able put your newly learned skills to work in a practical way. This course won't make you an experienced developer in the five days we have with you, but we'll ensure that you're provided with a solid introduction to coding basics, along with real hands-on experience programming in Java.  All while focused on learning how to Think Like a Programmer. Please note that this course is for beginners new to programming, but it is technical in nature. Our instructors are there to guide you through the process and provide you with a trusted platform to dig into something new, ask questions, and leave the class ready to take the next steps in your learning journey.

Throughout the course, you’ll explore the application development cycle, structure of programs, and specific language syntax. The course introduces important algorithmic constructs, string and character manipulation, dynamic memory allocation, standard I/O, and fundamental object-oriented programming concepts. The course explains the use of inheritance and polymorphism early on so you can practice these skills extensively in the hands-on labs. Structured programming techniques and error handling are emphasized. The course includes the processing of command line arguments and environment variables, so you’ll be able write flexible, user-friendly programs.  You’ll leave this course armed with the required skills to begin your learning journey as a Java programmer using modern coding skills and technologies. 

Key Learning Areas

  • The steps involved in the creation and deployment of a computer program
  • What OO programming is and what the advantages of OO are in today's world
  • How to work with objects, classes, and OO implementations
  • The basic concepts of OO such as encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction
  • The basic constructs that all programming languages share
  • The basic Java constructs supporting processing as well as the OO orientation
  • How to use Java exception handling
  • About and how to use classes, inheritance and polymorphism
  • About use collections, generics, autoboxing, and enumerations
  • How to take advantage of the Java tooling that is available with the programming environment being used in the class

Course Outline

Please note that this list of topics is based on our standard course offering, evolved from typical industry uses and trends. We’ll work with you to tune this course and level of coverage to target the skills you need most.

Introduction to Computer Programming
Introduction to Programming

  • What is a Computer Program?
  • Problem Solving using Programs
  • The Spectrum of Programming Languages

Requirements to Production

  • Starting with Requirements
  • Designing a Program
  • Implementing the Program
  • Converting Source Code to Machine Language
  • Executing Machine Language
  • Testing to Requirements
  • Deploying to Production
  • Lab: Business Use Case: Payroll

Programming Tools

  • Design Tools
  • Development Tools
  • Code Editors
  • Documentation
  • Compilers
  • Debuggers
  • Execution Tools
  • Runtime Environments
  • Interpreters
  • Libraries
  • Testing Tools

Programming Fundamentals
Thinking About Objects

  • Real-World Objects
  • Programming Objects
  • State and Functionality
  • Classes as a Template for Instances
  • Working with a Class
  • A Class Diagram
  • Implementing the Class
  • Compiling the Class
  • Executing the Class
  • Lab: Modelling Employees for Payroll

Program Basics

  • Different Languages, Different Syntax
  • Features of Any Program
  • Entry Point
  • Instructions
  • Exit Points
  • Why Break a Program Apart?

Programming Constructs

  • Handling Data:
  • Variables and constants
  • Arrays, Lists and Queues
  • Handling Functionality
  • Methods
  • Pre-defined Functionality
  • Handling Flow Control
  • Decision structures
  • Repetition (loops)
  • Lab: Implementing Payroll

Java: A First Look
The Java Platform

  • Java Platforms
  • Lifecycle of a Java Program
  • Responsibilities of JVM
  • Documentation and Code Reuse

Using the JDK

  • Setting Up Environment
  • Locating Class Files
  • Compiling Package Classes
  • Source and Class Files
  • Java Applications
  • Lab: Exploring ColorPicker and MemoryViewer

The Eclipse Paradigm

  • Workbench and Workspace
  • Views
  • Editors
  • Perspectives
  • Projects
  • Tutorial: Working with Eclipse Neon

Writing a Simple Class

  • Classes in Java
  • Class Modifiers and Types
  • Class Instance Variables
  • Primitives vs. Object References
  • Creating Objects
  • Lab: Create a Simple Class

OO Concepts
Object-Oriented Programming

  • Real-World Objects
  • Classes and Objects
  • Object Behavior
  • Methods and Messages

Inheritance, Abstraction, and Polymorphism

  • Encapsulation
  • Inheritance
  • Method Overriding
  • Polymorphism

Getting Started with Java
Adding Methods to the Class

  • Passing Parameters into Methods
  • Returning a Value from a Method
  • Overloaded Methods
  • Constructors
  • Optimizing Constructor Usage
  • Lab: Create a Class with Methods

Language Statements

  • Operators
  • Comparison and Logical Operators
  • Looping
  • Continue and Break Statements
  • The switch Statement
  • The for-each() Loop
  • Lab: Looping

Using Strings

  • Strings
  • String Methods
  • String Equality
  • StringBuffer
  • StringBuilder
  • Lab: Fun with Strings
  • Lab: Using StringBuffers and StringBuilders

Specializing in a Subclass

  • Extending a Class
  • Casting
  • The Object Class
  • Default Constructor
  • Implicit Constructor Chaining
  • Lab: Creating Subclasses

Essential Java Programming
Fields and Variables

  • Instance vs. Local Variables: Usage Differences
  • Data Types
  • Default Values
  • Block Scoping Rules
  • Final and Static Fields
  • Static Methods
  • Lab: Field Test

Using Arrays

  • Arrays
  • Accessing the Array
  • Multidimensional Arrays
  • Copying Arrays
  • Variable Arguments
  • Lab: Creating an Array

Java Packages and Visibility

  • Class Location of Packages
  • The Package Keyword
  • Importing Classes
  • Executing Programs
  • Java Naming Conventions

Advanced Java Programming
Inheritance and Polymorphism

  • Polymorphism: The Subclasses
  • Upcasting vs. Downcasting
  • Calling Superclass Methods from Subclass
  • The final Keyword
  • Lab: Salaries – Polymorphism

Interfaces and Abstract Classes

  • Separating Capability from Implementation
  • Abstract Classes
  • Implementing an Interface
  • Abstract Classes vs. Interfaces
  • Lab: Mailable – Interfaces

Exceptions

  • Exception Architecture
  • Handling Multiple Exceptions
  • Automatic Closure of Resources
  • Creating Your Own Exceptions
  • Throwing Exceptions
  • Checked vs. Unchecked Exceptions
  • Lab: Exceptions

Java Developer's Toolbox
Utility Classes

  • Wrapper Classes
  • The Number Class
  • Random Numbers
  • Autoboxing/Unboxing
  • The Date Class
  • Lab: Using Primitive Wrappers

Enumerations and Static Imports

  • Enumeration Syntax
  • When You Should Use Enumerations
  • Using Static Imports
  • When You Should Use Static Imports
  • Lab: Enumerations

Formatting Strings

  • StringJoiner
  • String.format
  • System.out.printf
  • The Formatter class
  • Using the formatting syntax

TIME PERMITTING
Collections and Generics

Introduction to Generics

  • Generics and Subtyping
  • Bounded Wildcards
  • Generic Methods
  • Legacy Calls to Generics
  • When Generics Should Be Used
  • Lab: ShoppingCart

Collections

  • Characterizing Collections
  • Collection Interface Hierarchy
  • Iterators
  • The Set Interface
  • The List Interface
  • Queue Interface
  • Map Interfaces
  • Using the Right Collection
  • Collections and Multithreading
  • Lab: Collections Poker

Who Benefits

This course is intended for anyone who is new programming, and wants to start learning how to code using Java. Please note that although this course is for beginner-level students, it is technical in nature. If you're moving from a truly non-technical role into coding for the first time, please reach out to us for some additional guidance or light course prep suggestions which can really be helpful before you jump into this course head-on. We want your experience to be exciting, challenging and useful, without being overwhelming. We're here to help!

You're a good fit for this course if you're:

  • New to coding but want some exposure to basic coding skills, or want to begin the process of becoming an Object-Oriented application developer
  • A technical team member from a non-developer role, who may be looking to re-skill to move into software and application development roles within an organization
  • A recent college graduates looking to apply their college experience to programming skills in a professional environment, or perhaps need to learn the best practices and standards for programming within their new organization
  • Technical managers tasked with overseeing programming teams, or development projects, where basic coding knowledge and exposure will be useful in project oversight or communications needs

Prerequisites

Before attending this course, you must have:

  • Ability to use computers to start programs, open and save files, navigate application menus and interfaces
  • Ability to understand logical concepts such as comparisons
  • Understand number theory
  • Ability to create, understand, and follow structured directions or step-by-step procedures
  • Ability to understand and apply abstract concepts to concrete examples