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, Applets, Threads, I/O, GUI's and Networking. During the course the student will write many applications, classes and applets 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 (both Java 1.1 and Java 1.2 implementations)
•    Build GUI applications and Applets, using both the AWT and the Swing API's
•    Create and handle Exceptions
•    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:

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

Course Details

OBJECTS, METHODS AND CLASSES

Abstract Classes and Methods

Interfaces

Defining an Interface, Implementing an Interface

Inner Classes

Using an Inner Class to Implement an Adapter, Anonymous Inner Classes

The Garbage Collector - Cleaning up Unused Objects

Finalization

COLLECTIONS

Collection Interfaces And Implementations

Summary Of Collection Implementations

Lists: ArrayList, Vector, LinkedList

Maps: HashMap, Hashtable, TreeMap, LinkedHashMap

Sets: HashSet, TreeSet, LinkedHashSet

Iterator And Enumeration

Other Collections: Stacks, Properties

Sorting Objects

The Comparable Interface, Comparators

More ways to Sort Objects:

      java.util.Collections, java.util.Arrays

Collections Method Reference

APPLETS & GRAPHICS

Introduction to Applets

Applet Creation, Applet Activities, Hierarchy of the Applet Class

Including an Applet on a Web Page - the APPLET tag

Passing Parameters to Applets

Using Applets

Using the Graphics Class to draw and fill shapes, Determining the Window Size

Text and Fonts, Colour, Displaying Images

Java Archives - JAR Files

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

Applet Animation and Threads

Animation Flickering, Double Buffering to avoid flickering

Using an Inner Class to Handle Multiple Threads

GUI COMPONENTS

The AWT API

Frames, Layout Managers, AWT GUI Objects

Text Areas, Scrolling Lists, Dialog Boxes, Menus

SWING COMPONENTS

Java Foundation Classes

The Swing API

Swing GUI Components, The Jframe Component

Layout Managers, Look And Feel

Swing Components

JButton, JLabel, Checkboxes And Radiobuttons

Lists And Combo Boxes, Menu Bars, JScrollpane, Dialogs

ADVANCED SWING

The advanced Swing GUI components

JTree, Tables

EVENTS AND EVENT HANDLING

Handling Mouse and Keyboard Events

Java 1.02 technique

Since Java 1.1 - using Interfaces

Handling GUI Action Events

Java 1.02 technique

Since Java 1.1 - using interfaces

Handling Window Events using Interfaces

Registering and Handling Events

Listeners, Adaptors, Inner Classes, Anonymous Inner Classes

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

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 several complete applications, 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.