Java Programming

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 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 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 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.