Target Audience

This course covers all major aspects of programming with Java using a choice of IDE (Integrated Development Environment). It is aimed at programmers who are already able to code simple Java applications and wish to broaden their knowledge with a greater understanding of the Java API.

Pre-requisites

An understanding of programming with Java or C++ is required. Students must be able to code simple Applications and Classes. Knowledge of this can be gained by attending our Java Primer course EC21.

Course Objectives

The aim of this course is to give students a fully rounded general knowledge of programming with Java. Whereas the Java Primer (EC21) course provides basic skills, this course moves onto more advanced topics including Collections, Generics, Threads, I/O, and Networking. During the course the student will write many classes ensuring that the statements taught are fully understood and practical experience is gained. The course is taught using a choice of IDE (Integrated Development Environment). The skills needed to use this software are presented as part of the course. On completion of this course the student will be able to:

•    Take advantage of and understand Interfaces
•    Use the Collections Framework
•    Understand which type of collection to use for a specific purpose
•    Sort Objects using Comparable and Comparator interfaces
•    Create and handle Exceptions
•    Code custom Exception classes
•    Use the Java Input/Output classes
•    Understand and use Serialization to achieve persistence
•    Understand multi-threading and synchronization and use the various techniques available to create separate threads
•    Create socket based applications using the Networking classes

Course Environment

Development will be performed using:

•    Eclipse
•    NetBeans
•    Websphere Studio Application Developer
•    Rational Application Developer
•    JBuilder
•    the Java Development Kit (JDK) plus a text editor

Course Details

ABSTRACT CLASSES AND INTERFACES

Abstract Classes and Methods

Interfaces

Defining An Interface, Implementing An Interface

Coding To Interfaces - Polymorphism

COLLECTIONS

Collection Interfaces And Implementations

Summary & Comparison Of Collection Implementations

Lists: ArrayList, Vector, LinkedList

Maps: HashMap, Hashtable, TreeMap, LinkedHashMap

Sets: HashSet, TreeSet, LinkedHashSet

Iterator And Enumeration Interfaces

Other Collections: Stacks, Properties

Sorting Objects

The Comparable Interface, Comparators

More ways to Sort Objects:

      java.util.Collections, java.util.Arrays

Collections Method Reference

GENERICS

Parameterised Collections

Parameterised Types And Iterators

Parameterised Maps

Passing Parameterised Types As Method Arguments

Sorting Data With Generics

THE FOR-IN STATEMENT

What the for-in statement can be used with

Writing Your Own Iterable Classes

THREADS & SYNCHRONIZATION

What is a Thread?

Creating Threads

Method 1 - Extending the Thread Class

Method 2 - Implementing the Runnable Interface

Controlling Threads

Thread Priority, Terminating Threads, Daemon Threads, Thread Synchronization

ERROR HANDLING

Java Exceptions

Runtime and Checked Exceptions, Try / Catch Processing, The Finally Block

Passing Exceptions up the Stack

The throws statement

Creating new Exceptions

The Throw Statement, Error and Exception Classes, User Defined Exceptions

Exceptions And Object Hierarchies

JAVA I/O

The Java I/O API

The File class, Input and Output Streams, Readers and Writers

Reading from System Input, Reading from Files

Standard Output Stream - System.out

Types of I/O classes

Buffering input/output, ByteArrays, CharArrays, DataStreams

Serialization - Persistence of Objects

NETWORKING

Java Networking API

Ports, Sockets, Server Sockets

Clients and Servers

Java Clients, Java Servers, Web Servers

INTRODUCTION TO SERVER-SIDE PROGRAMMING

Overview of Server side programming

Servlets, Java Server Pages, Web Servers, Java Beans

Model, View, Controller architecture

Course Format

Practical sessions make up a large part of the course, allowing delegates to demonstrate and reinforce the lectures given. During these sessions the delegate will build a complete application, gaining in complexity throughout. Examples are used extensively, ranging from simple code snippets to full applications with complete 'real world' functionality. These are supplied at the start of the course and it is encouraged that the delegates execute and 'experiment' with these under the instructor's guidance as they are introduced. These examples are available to take away, along with the delegate's own work. The comprehensive Student Guide supplied is fully indexed serving as a useful reference tool long after the course has finished. Delegates will also be able to access a free help-line with technical questions relating to topics covered on the course.