1-B: How Java Works
We will review the basics of object-oriented programming and how Java is configured. This is primarily a build-up of vocabulary. This unit moves quickly as there are limited practical applications.
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We will review the basics of object-oriented programming and how Java is configured. This is primarily a build-up of vocabulary. This unit moves quickly as there are limited practical applications.
Last updated
Was this helpful?
Was this helpful?
I can describe the benefits of using the JRE.
I can identify the three types of errors when programming.
I can describe the attributes of Java’s main function, including scope, instantiation, and return value.
Java's strength is also its greatest weakness. The JVM allows the same Java code to run on almost any machine. It does this by hosting a virtual machine, a simulated computer system that facilitates the interpretation of your code.
With his partner Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie solved a very big program for programmers. It's hard enough for programmers to design an app. It's just crazy if you have to program an app in assembly, telling the CPU and RAM how to handle each and every little operation. Programming languages like Ritchie's C allow coders to focus more on the app and less on how it has to interact with the machine. It's like the first, really powerful book of spells made for magicians.
If you'd like to learn more about the history of Computer Science, I found this video to be very charming.
When you install an app on your computer, the JIT will interpret the developer's code and set it up to run on the given machine. The install process takes longer and it might not be compatible with every machine, but then the app is ready to run very quickly. Java doesn't play like that. Instead, it interprets the code in real-time while running through a virtual machine. So while it can run pretty much everywhere, there's a bottleneck in how fast it can perform.
Who made the Java programming language? When and why? Check it out.
The JDK is a type of SDK. We'll use tools to build apps like an IDE and an interpreter. We're going to have lots of bugs or errors in our code. They will take three different forms...
Syntax or Compile-time: You can't compile this code. Something is way off and Java won't touch your mess.
Runtime or crash: Something breaks while it's running as if you asked the computer to divide a number by zero.
Logic: Everything runs okay. Nothing crashes. However, the answer you get is just wrong. If your app says 4+4 is 10, you've got a logic error.
In Java, all code must be written inside methods, and all methods belong to a class. This means that every Java program is essentially a collection of classes, each containing methods that define the behavior of your program.
Classes must be defined inside a file that shares the exact same name as the class. For example, if your class is called MyProgram, then the file must be named MyProgram.java.
The entry point of every Java program is the main method, which tells Java where to begin executing your code.
Every Java app starts the same way, from a static method that returns nothing. Let's introduce these concepts now. Many of these ideas will seem strange, but they'll make more sense as you build up your background knowledge. You'll come back to this section later on and smile. But for right now, let's take a plunge into the deep end of the pool. We'll hurry right back to the basics but let's take a peek at how all Java apps start.
public static void main(String[] args){} <=[ all Java apps start from that method! ]
Who can access this method or this variable? The main method must always be public because it's being triggered from outside the class.
Does this method belong to an instance of the class? What's the difference between an instance and a static class? Imagine we're building a game. We've got one file or class that describes a player and another that has helpful functions like drawing a random number. Every person that plays the game gets their own instance of the player class. It tracks each player's health and abilities in the computer's memory. But the helper class can be static, just one master copy--no instance needed.
As the method closes, does it return anything? If so, what type of data is returned? The main method must always return void because it's the point of origin--there's nothing to return data to.
Version control is essential for tracking changes in your code and collaborating on projects. We'll install Git command line tools first, then GitHub Desktop for a user-friendly interface.
Installing Git for Windows
Visit git-scm.com
Download the latest version for Windows
Run the installer with these recommended settings:
Use Visual Studio Code as Git's default editor
Use Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software
Use the OpenSSL library
Checkout Windows-style, commit Unix-style line endings
Use Windows' default console window
Complete the installation
Verify Git Installation:
Open Command Prompt
Type: git --version
You should see the Git version number
Installing Git via Xcode Command Line Tools
Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal)
Type: git --version
If Git isn't installed, macOS will prompt you to install developer tools
Click "Install" and follow the prompts
Wait for the installation to complete (this may take several minutes)
Verify Git Installation:
In Terminal, type: git --version
You should see the Git version number
Now that Git is installed, we'll add GitHub Desktop for an easier graphical interface:
Visit desktop.github.com
Download GitHub Desktop for your operating system (Windows or Mac)
Install the application
Launch GitHub Desktop
Sign in with your GitHub account (create one at github.com if needed)
Complete the initial setup wizard
Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac)
Configure Git with your information:bash
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"The AP Computer Science A course requires Java 17 or later (Java 22 recommended). We'll provide multiple options for JDK installation.
Eclipse Temurin is a free, open-source JDK that's widely used in educational settings.
For Windows:
Visit adoptium.net
Select your operating system (Windows)
Choose the latest LTS version (Java 17 or 21)
Download the .msi installer
Run the installer with default settings
Important: Check "Set JAVA_HOME variable" during installation
For Mac:
Visit adoptium.net
Select macOS
Choose the latest LTS version
Download the .pkg installer
Run the installer with default settings
Oracle provides the official Java implementation, though it requires registration for recent versions.
For Windows/Mac:
Create a free Oracle account if prompted
Download the appropriate installer for your operating system
Run the installer with default settings
Install these extensions for optimal Java development:
Essential Java Extensions:
Extension Pack for Java (Microsoft)
Includes: Language Support, Debugger, Test Runner, Maven, Project Manager
Install this first - it includes most of what you need
Code Runner (Jun Han)
Allows quick running of Java files with Ctrl+F5
Helpful Additional Extensions: 3. Bracket Pair Colorizer 2 (CoenraadS)
Colors matching brackets for easier code reading
GitLens (GitKraken)
Enhanced Git capabilities within VS Code
Java Code Generators (Sohibe)
Helps generate common Java code patterns
vscode-icons (VSCode Icons Team)
Better file icons for easier navigation
Open VS Code
Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on Mac) to open the command palette
Type "Java: Cofigure Java Runtime" and select it
Verify that your installed JDK appears in the list
If not detected automatically, manually add the path to your JDK installation