Introduction to Java and Object-Oriented Programming

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/java-object-oriented-programming

Introduction

**Course Review: Introduction to Java and Object-Oriented Programming on Coursera** As the demand for skilled programmers continues to rise in today's technology-driven world, gaining proficiency in programming languages like Java is an incredibly valuable asset. One concise and effective opportunity to do just that is through the Coursera course titled *Introduction to Java and Object-Oriented Programming*. This course serves as an excellent entry point for beginners and seasoned developers who want to solidify their understanding of Java and principles of object-oriented programming. ### Overview of the Course The *Introduction to Java and Object-Oriented Programming* course is designed to offer a robust foundation in the Java programming language. It explores essential topics such as Java syntax, object-oriented programming concepts, and how to effectively write custom Java classes and methods. A unique aspect of this course is its comparative approach, highlighting the differences between Java and other languages such as Python, which allows learners who may already be familiar with Python to easily bridge the gap to Java. ### Course Syllabus Breakdown **Module 1: Introduction to Java, Classes, & Eclipse** The journey begins with an informative introduction to the Java language. This module provides a comprehensive overview of Java syntax while emphasizing crucial concepts such as variables, data types, loops, and conditionals. Learners also gain hands-on experience with Eclipse, a popular integrated development environment (IDE) for Java. By the end of this module, students are empowered to define their own custom Java classes and methods, building a solid groundwork for subsequent learning. **Module 2: Unit Testing, Arrays, & ArrayLists** The emphasis in this module shifts to the importance of testing code effectively. Students learn the significance of unit testing as a method to verify their code’s functionality. Additionally, this module introduces arrays and ArrayLists, highlighting their differences and uses—crucial topics for managing collections of data in Java effectively. This comparison to Python lists makes it easier for those with prior programming experience to grasp these concepts more quickly. **Module 3: Static Variables, Methods, & Polymorphism Using Overloading** Diving deeper into Java, this module introduces static variables and methods, allowing students to understand when and why to use them. The concept of polymorphism is also introduced, focusing primarily on method overloading. This is a powerful feature in Java programming, and understanding it can greatly enhance a student's coding competency and flexibility. ### Teaching Style and Accessibility The course is structured in short, engaging videos paired with hands-on coding exercises that promote practical experience. The clarity of instructional videos, combined with high-quality visuals and examples, makes complex programming concepts approachable. Each module contains quizzes and practical assignments, ensuring students can apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios. ### Recommendations I highly recommend the *Introduction to Java and Object-Oriented Programming* course on Coursera for several reasons: 1. **Beginner-Friendly:** Its gradual introduction to core programming concepts makes it suitable for beginners, while also providing enough depth to be valuable for those with some prior knowledge. 2. **Practical Applications:** The focus on real-world applications, especially with unit testing and class design, prepares students for practical programming tasks they will encounter in the workplace. 3. **High-Quality Instruction:** Leveraging the expertise of experienced instructors, the course maintains a standard of excellence throughout its curriculum, ensuring students receive a rich learning experience. 4. **Flexible Learning Environment:** Being an online course, it allows students to learn at their own pace, accommodating various schedules and learning styles. ### Conclusion In summary, the *Introduction to Java and Object-Oriented Programming* course on Coursera is a well-structured and informative resource that equips students with essential Java programming skills. Whether you're looking to start a career in software development or wishing to enhance your programming repertoire, this course is a worthwhile investment in your professional growth. Sign up today and embark on your journey to mastering Java!

Syllabus

Module 1 : Introduction to Java, Classes, & Eclipse

Welcome to Java! This first module provides an introduction to the Java language and object-oriented programming. It includes an overview of Java syntax, in particular, how it differs from a language like Python. Topics will include variables and data types, loops and conditionals, printing to the console, scanning for user input, and code documentation. This module also explains the structure and inner-workings of a Java class and teaches you how to define your own custom classes and methods.

In this module, you will be taught to test your code to get it working. The best way to do this is to write a set of unit tests that you can run against your program, at any time. In this module, we'll learn how to do unit testing in Java, and why we want to do it. We’ll also learn all about Java Arrays, which are collections of items, and ArrayLists, which are kind of like arrays, but much more flexible. These work just like lists in Python. ArrayLists are part of Java’s larger Collections Framework, which we’ll continue to reference throughout this course.

So far, we’ve been defining variables as instance variables in our Java classes. Instance variables are just variables defined inside a class, and every instance of a class can have a different value for an instance variable. In this module, we’ll look at defining static variables in our Java classes. Static variables are also defined as variables inside a class, but with the keyword 'static'. Static variables have the same value for every instance of a class. In fact, you don’t even need to create an instance of a class to use a static variable! We’ll also look at static methods. And just like static variables, you don’t need to create an instance of a class to use, or call, a static method. In this module, we’re also going to introduce polymorphism, which refers to overloading and overriding. We’ll focus on overloading, which is having two or more methods in the same class, with the same name.