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Chapter 1: Intro to Java

Sections:

1.1 Basic computing concepts

1.2 And now, Java

1.3 Program errors

1.4 Procedural decomposition

1.5 Case study: DrawFigs

Note: the first chapter is definitions-heavy.

Section 1.1: Intro to Java

Definitions

• Algorithm
• Program
• Hardware ("Hardware: the part of the computer that you can kick")
• Software
• Digital
• Binary
• Program execution
• Compiler
• Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
• Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

Material

Things to cover:

• Java class libraries (standard library)
• Java programming environment
• Java Hello World program
• Console window/command line

1995: Oracle: "Java: A simple, object-oriented, network-savvy, interpreted, robust, secure, architecture-netural, portable, high-performance, multithreaded, dynamic language."

Life Skills

Life skills track:

• Pay attention and FOCUS
• RTFM
• Follow directions and read carefully
• Whether it's your compiler, or your instructor, or your fellow students - pay attention to what's being said
• Skill will pay off when you start to compile your Java programs

Section 1.2: Java

Materials

Class

• Every program, all Java code, lives in a class
• Class header
• Class methods
• Statements
• String literals
• System.out.println
• Escape sequences
• print vs println

Complex example: draw figures

• ASCII diamond, X, rocket

Code comments, white space, readability:

• Comments

Section 1.3: Syntax Errors

Material

Different types of errors:

• Where the errors happen - the normal process - (code) --> (compiler) --> (bytecode)
• Errors at compiler level - syntax errors - book lists common syntax errors
• Errors at code level - bugs - errors in the logic of the program (wrong idea, or right idea but implemented wrong)

Section 1.4: Procedural Decomposition

Materials

Decomposing complexity:

• Decomposition concept: split into functions, tasks, subtasks

C is very verb-oriented, action-oriented

Java is very noun-oriented, object-oriented

Procedural programming:

• Function-based, action-based programming
• How to decompose task of baking a cake
• Static methods (help serve function of.......... functions)

Object oriented programming version:

• c = new Cake(); c.make()
• Encapsulating complexity of the object
• Example in book: drawBox, drawTopX, drawBottX

Flow control

• How control changes with function calls
• Objects: with OOP it becomes more complicated to follow the flow of the program
• Procedural programs and interpreted languages: you just start at the top and go from there
• Objects: "when is this code actually used?" (have to dive in to see)
• Learning to follow program flow control
• Flow control allows you to abstract away detail
• Example runtime error

Definitions

• Decomposition
• Iterative enhancement
• Static method
• Method call
• Flow control

Life Skills

Life skills track:

• Cover non-word representations of programs

(Give them a crypto puzzle, but we haven't introduced any crypto or codes just yet)

Section 1.5 : Case Study with DrawFig

Material

Modularization of drawing program

• Breaking into pieces - not just the box, or the x, or the rocket
• but breaking down into common components, common to all parts of the program
• Take hello world program...
• Modularize it, make it reusable...

Chapter 1 Summary

Worksheet: definitions from book on one side (quiz material)

Source code for a procedural program (fizz baz foo bar buzz bam) on the other

There are N bugs, find the N bugs (self-work)

Discuss the program flow with a partner (group work)

How do we represent this program in a clear and concise way?

Transform foo bar into get ready for school - proper names can help clarify understanding

Lecture: broken up into 1.5 parts

• Broad brush-stroke over chapter 1
• Memorize definitions
• Know XYZ for quiz
• Spend a majority of time on in-class exercises
• FOCUS: KNOW HOW TO RUN/SET UP HELLO WORLD
• FOCUS: KNOW DEFINITIONS
• FOCUS: KNOW FUNCTIONS AND PROGRAM FLOW
• FOCUS: KNOW ERRORS/EXCEPTIONS

Quiz/exam/assessment material:

• Hello world, basics, public static void main, syntax
• Definitions matchup
• Functions questions
• Program flow questions
• Exceptions: spot the bug... spot logical errors... spot syntax errors...

Need to make beginnings of class difficult, to send the message that they can't let it slide

Deliverables

Intro to Java

• Know how to set up and run hello world
• How does it work, role of compliler vs editor
• JRE vs JVM vs JDK
• Public static void main
• EEverything is a class
• Filename = class name
• Correct syntax, protected keywords

Definitions

• algorithm, program, hardware/software, digital, binary, program execution, compiler, JVM, JDK, JRE, class header, class methods, statements, string literals, system.out.println, escape chars, print vs println, exception, decomposition, flow control, iterative enhancement, static method

Functions and program flow

• How to follow the flow of a program through multiple (nested) function calls
• When to use a static method or static class
• How to follow a nested program
• How to break up a task into less complex parts, with reusability
• Translate between procedure and function

Errors and logical problems

• Spotting the error
• Red herring: error, plus (unclear) compiler output

Chapter 1 Code

Lecture Code

Exceptions code

• Tie in with the Java API, let them know it exists and where it is, we'll talk more about it and how to use it in the future

ASCII rocket code

• From Reges and Stepp (no patterns/functions til next section)

Real rocket code - Vertical code (solve a basic equation)

• Good to keep math at the forefront. Just throwing it out there.

Worksheet Code

Density code, DensityConversion code

• Description: write a program that prints a physical property of your choice for ten different chemical compounds (in metric units). Write another program that prints the physical property of your choice (in English units).
• Example: Look up densitiy, (g/cm3). Program to print 10 densities, in g/cm3. Then, program to convert to lb/ft3, and print 10 densities, in lb/ft3.
• Specifications: Your program must print a banner or header that states the physical property. Your program must print the (correct) units of the physical property.
• Submitting: Deliverables, what to turn in, what NOT to turn in, what format, how, when, with what

Homework Code

(What homework problems?)

Chapter 1 Goodies

Profiles

• James Gosling - Oracle, tech companies, open source vs. enterprise, hackers vs suits
• Grace Hopper

Puzzle 1

How the puzzles work: you follow along throughout the course of the quarter, each puzzle leads to the next

Puzzle 1 will be a ROT cipher/Caesar cipher

• Encodes a quote from class, and a secret word: "the secret word is xyz"

Chapter 2: Primitive Data and Definite Loops

Sections:

2.1 Basic data concepts

2.2 Variables

2.3 The for loop

2.4 Managing complexity

2.5 Case study: Hourglass figure

Note: this chapter has two halves. The first half examines expressions, particularly for numerical data and variables. The second half examines control structures, used to perform repetitive actions.

The goal here is pattern-finding - what repeated actions will lead to the desired outcomes? This loop will cover definite loops (loops that repeat a predetermined number of times). Next chapter will cover indefinite loops.

Section 2.1: Basic data concepts

Definitions

Definitions:

• Data type
• Expression
• Evaluation
• Operator
• Precedence
• Casting

Material

Java primitive types:

• int
• double
• char
• boolean

Why important? because computers represent data and numbers in memory, and we need to understand how (rules)

How we input data and operations:

• literals (literal values, 2.19)
• expressions (assembling stuff, related by operators)

Operators:

• Mix of computer science and math
• Operators mean, performing a set of tasks (or, a task)
• Some operators require 2 things, e.g., 2+3
• Some operators require 1 thing, e.g., inverse(A) or d/dx( x^2 )

Literals

• Different data types
• Decimals vs integers (especially with operations)
• Booleans: true/false (keywords)

Arithmetic

• Division weirdness
• Remainder operator
• Goldfish analogy - small memory capacity - 2 digits - what happens after 99? start over

Precedence and order of operations

• Grammar connection
• Be explicit in what you're asking computer to do

Casting and file types

• can deal with int/float differences by casting
• Again, be explicit: (int)( ......... )

Section 2.2: Variables

Definitions

Definitions:

• Variable
• Declaration
• String concatenation
• Increment/decrement

Materials

You have to declare it available in order to use it

You have to declare what kind of variable it is

Can combine declaration and assignment

Can declare multiple variables on one line

Concat:

• To combine strings, use plus operator
• But be careful with number/string types
• Example: 2 + 3 + " hello " + 7 + 2*3
• Multiplication first
• Then only addition is left, so evaluate left to right
• 2+3 first becomes 5
• Then the remaining plus operators turn into string concatenation operators
• Better: be explicit about what types are being added to what, and in what order.

Increment/decrement:

• Useful shorthand operators

Section 2.3: For Loop

Definitions

Definitions:

• Control structure

Material

Purpose:

• Replace redundant tasks

Syntax of for loops

• Initialize a loop variable, create a condition
• Body of for loop is executed if condition is true
• Tracing loops
• Curly braces are important

Some patterns:

• If we want to execute a loop N times, can use two patterns: i=0, or i=1
• Nested for loops
• Print vs println with nested for loops

Section 2.4: Managing Complexity

Definitions

Definitions:

• Scope
• Localizing variables
• Infinite loop
• Pseudocode
• Class constant

Material

Scope:

• Helps to manage complexity of variable space
• Curly braces represent scope
• Variable defined inside braces is not defined outside those braces

Examine examples, errors, why it crashes, and how it crashes

Tracing a for loop:

• Initialization
• Test
• Body
• Update
• End

Pseudocode:

• Part of communicating about code
• Simple examples to give them an idea
• More complex pattern-finding, indices (2(i-1)), etc...
• Constants (for drawing patterns, e.g., number of lines)
• Public static final type name = (...) <-- permanently, same value, accessible by static methods
• We are still thinking PROCEDURALLY

Section 2.5: Case Study: Hourglass Figure

Material

Detailed example of how to work out a pattern and translate it into modular code.

Single-line pattern, indexing and offset shifts

Entire code, refactoring into methods and modularization

Overall: tackling a complex problem by breaking it down into simpler parts, taking small steps toward end goal, managing complexity

Chapter 2 Summary

Deliverables:

• Primitive type expressions and literals
• Casting
• Assigning/changing variable values
• For loops, for loop patterns
• Scope
• Pseudocode
• Constants

Assessment Material

Dealing with primitive types in expressions, and order of operations, etc.

• How to interpret incrementing and other assignment operators
• For loops:
  • Know how to follow control
  • Syntax
  • Curly braces
• Scope
• Pseudo code to describe how to draw a pattern
• Constants
  • Syntax
  • Explaining the purpose (e.g., which of the following would be a good variable to program as public static final z)
• 99 bottles of root beer

Chapter 2 Code

Lecture Code

Quadratic equation

• Given a, b, c
• Assume (or implement in driver) check that b2-4ac > 0

Worksheet Code

Worksheet: watch your money grow

• Suppose you invest X in Y, at rate R
• Watch how quickly your money grows after Z years, printing row by row

Chapter 2 Goodies

Profiles

Charles Babbage

• Digital representation
• Computer

Chapter 3: Parameters and Objects

Sections:

3.1 Parameters

3.2 Methods returning values

3.3 Using objects

3.4 Projectile trajectory

Section 3.1: Parameters

Definitions

Definitions:

• Parameter/parametric/parameterize
• Formal parameter
• Actual parameter
• Method signature
• method overloading
• Parameters = arguments (language)

Material

Parameterization:

• Form of abstraction
• What we are doing is generalizing a task
• Not just solving x2 + 4x + 2 = 0, solving ax2 + bx + c = 0
• Example code for parameterizing print statements
• How do you use/declare parameters in a class method?
• How not to declare parameters - not writeSpaces(int numLines)
• Differentiating between TYPE DECLARATION/DEFINITION, and the ACTUAL METHOD CALL
• Parameters: data --> method
• Each method is defined to have its own scope, as denoted by {}. So how to pass data through the scope?

Scope:

• Scope means, all variables from outside the function are unknown
• Data is passed in as fresh
• Parameters are variables that are predefined in that fresh variable space
• Scope ties in with return values - once you do a calculation, how do you get the result out?
• Return values/return variables.
• Overloading methods: so that we can handle variations in the input data.

Section 3.2: Methods that Return Values

Definitions

Definitions:

• Return
• Object
• class

Material

Example of when you need to return a value: square root function

• Method syntax: how to declare a function's return type (void --> int/double/etc)

Real life example: Java Math (static class, static methods)

• Math constants E and PI
• Casting and math functions
• How to explore the Java API
• Just focus on Math, don't get overwhelmed

Math example:

• Carl Gauss, sum of first 100 integers
  • Excellent example of how different ways of tackling problems (different algorithms) can lead to vast speedups
  • Formula:

$ \sum_{i=1}^{n} i = \dfrac{ n(n+1) }{2} $

To program this formula:

public static int sum(int n) {
    return (n * (n+1)) / 2;
}

How return statements work: value is returned where function call happens, so we need to assign the result of the function call to a variable.

Math example: Pythagorean theorem

• find the hypotenuse, given sides a and b

public static double hypotenuse( double a, double b ) {
    double c = Math.sqrt( Math.pow(a, 2) + Math.pow(b, 2) );
    return c;
}

How to debug, if this isn't working? Split calculation into more parts: csquared, c, etc.

Section 3.3: Using Objects

Definitions

Definitions:

• Object
• Class
• Index
• Immutable object
• Exception
• Console input
• Constructor
• Token
• Whitespace
• Package
• Declaration

Material

Primitive types and objects:

Outline:

• String objects (and return values and mutability)
• Interactive programs and user input (scanner0
• Sample interactive program

This is where we focus on Strings

• Tokenization, strings, etc - that gets at arrays, which is Chapter 7.

String tokenization section for ciphers.

Metaphor: Why experimentation is necessary in programming.

• We talked about James Gosling.
• Does your brain work like his?
• Does your brain work like Java compiler?
• Nope! So we can't just think our way through problems
• Need to be improving our mental compiler, our mental model of what the code will do
• Iterative refinement

In-Class Worksheet

In-class worksheet: Caesar Cipher

• How Caesar cipher works
• Specifications: give them a main method, and call the cipher. They define the cipher method.

Handout for Caesar Cipher:

• Give them a hint on how to do the char shift
• Encourage playing around/experimentation

Section 3.4: Projectile Trajectory

Material

Case study with complex example, covering:

• Input parameters
• methods that return values
• mathematical calculations
• scanner for user input

Basic projectile problem: given an initial velocity and angle, answer questions;

• Highest point, and the time for that point
• Time to ground
• Distance (horizontal distance) traveled
• Basically: x/y path lengths, and times
• Print usage/intro
• Print pretty table

Program:

• User input
  • Get vel at t=0
  • Get angle at t=0
  • Get steps to display
• Prep calc
• For t in Nsteps
  • Increment t
  • Increment x
  • Increment y

Chapter 3 Summary

Assessment Material

Parameters:

• Notation
• Purpose
• How they work

Return values:

• Notation
• Purpose
• How they work

Objects

• LOTS of definitions nad new concepts
• Use of String objects to understand these concepts

Projectile trajectory:

• Focusing on a complex application/program

Chapter 3 Code

Lecture Code

Sum of integers

• Sum of first n integers, ties in with Carl Freidrich Gauss, algorithmic thinking, pattern-finding

Pythagorean theorem

• hypotenuse
• let's recap what we have so far: we've solved a projectile gravity equation, solved a quadratic equation, summed up the first N integers, solved the Pythagorean theorem
• no limit to the kinds of mathematics we can implement
• very deep and profound connection between programming and mathematics

Worksheet Code

Caesar cipher

• Char shift is the key here, getting them to think about how to implement modular arithmetic AND how to use that integer offset to shift chars
• Get them to link chars with integers
• Hint: try executing this Java code: "'a' + 5"

Chapter 3 Goodies

Puzzle 3

By now, you can decrypt puzzle 1 with a program

Profiles

Carl Freidrich Gauss

• Adding up the sum of all integers from 1-100
• First approach: don't manage the complexity, just dive in and have at it
• Gauss: found an alternative pattern
• By adding last and first, then second last and second first, and so on, got same number for each
• Utilizing this turned a sum problem into a multiplication problem
• Lesson: by changing your pattern of thinking/problem solving, can open up new, better, faster approaches

Chapter 4: Conditional Execution

Sections:

4.1 If/else statements

4.2 Cmulative algorithms

4.3 Text processing

4.4 Methods with conditional execution

4.5 Case study: BMI

Last chapter: solving complex programming problems with repeated tasks using for loops, flexibility via class constants, and user input.

This chapter: conditional execution. Expand our understanding of common programming situations. With new topics, revisit old material.

Section 4.1: If Else

Conditional logic

• Sometimes, but not always, we want to execute particular lines of code.
• Can use if/else structure to branch execution
• Relational operators: different kind of operations
  • Up until now, have been doing operations on numbers to obtain new numbers
  • Example, 12*2, assign to new variable int a = 12*2
  • No true/false nature, it is always true because we're creating a definition, we're defining a new rule
• Now, we'll be using equals in a different sense

"Does a equal 24?" vs. "a is equal to 24"

if( a == 24 ) vs. int a = 24;

Can introduce other comparison operators:

• Equals
• Not equals
• Less than/greater than
• Less than or equal to/greater than or equal to

Revisit operator precedence:

• Unary operators
• Multiplication operators
• Additive operators
• Relational operators
• Equality operators
• Assignment operators

Nested if/else:

• Patterns for designing logic structures
• If red/if blue/if green: can combine into structure, because only one can be true
• if/else

Nested, only one is true:

if( condition1 ) {
    ...
} else if( condition2 ) {
    ...
} else if( condition3 ) { 
    ...
}

Multiple conditions can be true:

if( condition1 ) {
    ...
}
if( condition2 ) {
    ...
}
if( condition3 ) {
    ...
}

Corresponding diagram representations: (see book)

Finding the pattern:

• Analyzing the problem helps determine what kind of control structure you need
• Combination of branches doesn't matter: if statements
• Only one, or none, of branches should be taken: if/else if/else if
• Only one, and exactly one, branch should be taken: if/else if/else if/else

Weird equality stuff:

• For strings and other objects, == doesn't work great
• This is shorthand for a GENERAL concept, which is, EQUALS

Metaphor:

• Two numbers: 5 and 5. I know how to check if they're equal. Equality is defined rigorously, based on the way the real numbers are defined.
• Two lamps: A and B. Are these two lamps equal?
  • Equal in light? Equal in how much power they draw?
  • Equal in appearance? Independent of function? (Wax lamp)
  • Equal in the cosmic sense? Composed of the exact same atoms? What about a perfect atom-by-atom reproduction?
• Equality is something we have to define

Objects and equality:

• Always use obj1.equals(obj2), not == (equals() is the more general)

Refactoring/modularizing if/else code:

• if A: do a bunch of stuff; if B: do a bunch of stuff; if C: do a bunch of stuff
• rewrite, define an action X, so then it becomes def X do a bunch of stuff; if A do X; if B do X; if C do X

Multiple conditions for if/else:

• AND operator (if a number is between A and B, that can be expressed as the combination of 2 conditions: number > A, number < B)
• OR operator (A, or B, or both)

Section 4.2: Cumulative Algorithms

Definitions

Definitions:

• Cumulative algorithm
• Roundoff error

Material

Connect loops with algorithms:

• Finding average, finding sum, finding min/max

Min and max:

• Exploring a "simple" idea like taking the maximum can be tricky to implement
• Let's say we're looking at surface temperature of a planet
• All negative numbers; if you initialize your minimum to 0, you'll get a minimum of 0 - incorrect
• To set a maximum: should start with data

Example: hailstone sequence

• pick a starting number
• If odd, e.g., do 3x+1, and if even, e.g., do (x/2)
• Start with an initial minimum/maximum guess
• Go through sequence, N steps, calculate a minimum and maximum

Example: cumulative sum with if

• if statement to check for valid input values
• if statement to count number of negative numbers
• user input (N steps), user input (numbers)

Roundoff error:

• Checking equality is tricky due to roundoff error
• Comes up around cumulative algorithms
• Example: 2.77500000000000005
• Float roundoff errors
• Truncate a number at a certain decimal place
• Replicating digits lopped off
• Why, if 2.1 and 3.8, no repeating decimals, would Java turn them into repeating decimals?
• Due to internal Java representation: representing decimal numbers as powers of 2, not powers of 10
• Simple example: add 0.1 (can't be represented exactly because base 2)

Checking equality:

• Use tolerance

abs(A-B) < 0.01

Section 4.3: Text Processing

Definitions

Definitions:

• Text processing
• ASCII

Material

Char type:

• comes from C language
• strings composed of chars
• charAt() method

Chars and ints: primitive types

• have already seen (with Caesar cipher) that we can treat chars like numbers, operate on them, increment them

Cumulative text algorithm

• Count # characters occurring in string
• Cumulative concatenation

Printf:

• More control over print format
• %d digit, f for float, etc.
• Table of common print formats

%d
%8d
%-6d

%f
%.2f
%16.2f

%s
%8s
%-9s

Handout: Caesar Cipher

Cracking the Caesar cipher: letter frequencies, and also brute-forcing

Section 4.4: Conditional Execution with Methods

Definitions

Definitions:

• Precondition
• Postcondition

Basically, this section addresses: how do we ensure certain conditions are met before/after we run a method?

Exceptions:

• Occur at runtime, not compile time
• Previously, saw exceptions with scanner (nextInt(), not an int)

Assessment questions:

When would you see an exception?

• Run time
• Compile time

When would you see a logic error?

• Run time
• Compile time

When would you see a syntax error?

• Run time
• Compile time

Functions (analogy):

• Factorial function: can compute 0!, 1!, 2!, etc
• Cannot ocmpute negative factorial, so return undefined
• Mathematical approach: exceptions are definitions, rules that they can define

Documentation:

• Tell the user how to use it

Creating exceptions:

• exceptions are objects
• Pieces of grouped data/instructions
• Need to create new exceptions before we can throw them
• When we throw an exception, it stops the code
• We also want to add comments! and a useful exception message!

Similar concept (language): assertions

• C and C++, Python, assert(True)

Revisiting return values: example

• New application of conditional logic to comparison operators:
• Example of overloading (int and float)
• If statement for ints, etc.
• more templating: again, comes down to understanding what kind of control structure you need

def method() {
  if( x > y) {
    return x
  }
  return y
}

Revisiting return values: another example

• String: find particular index of particular character
• built-in String method, indeOf
• r = s.indexOf('r')
• make our own static method: myIndexOf
• called like, r = myIndexOf('r',s)
• How to locate a character in a string?
  • Can loop through each char of string (i in str length)
  • Then, can use charAt to see if this char is our char
• Note on why not static method:
  • static method doesn't remember our place
  • if we wanted to say, "find the next r," we'd have to pick up where we left off
  • that means, saving a piece of data, which means, we can't use static method
• Implement return method
  • return our char index
  • else, what to do if char not found?
  • convention: return -1 (or, 999,999)
• Scope:
  • allows us to say, when we get to return, we can drop everything and leave, everything will be cleaned up

String index and bounds:

• index of string of N characters: starts at 0, runs to N-1
• If we access a string at index N, Java will raise an exception
• Exception won't happen until runtime - that's when Java will know string length, and will know string is not long enough

Following logical branches:

• Example of program with nested if/else if/else if
• if you have a return type defined in the method header (e.g., string), that means you have to have a return statement, no matter what, for all cases (or, throw an exception)
• Can eliminate some code if we assume we know the SAT score is in the range 600-2400
• Assuming is BAD!!!

if(totalSAT<600 || totalSAT > 2400 ) {
    raise IllegalArgumentException
} else {
    ...
}

Section 4.5: BMI Study

BMI:

• Calculation based on input values (weight, height)
• Iterative enhancement: one thing at a time
  • Compute results for one person (no structure)
  • Write program for 2 people (no structure)
  • Finally, assemble well-structured program

One person unstructured:

• height and wieght, read in
• Calulate BMI from that
• One line at a time, get x, print x, get y, print y, calc z, print z
• use printf
• use conditional to classify weight status
• again, one line after another

Two person unstructured:

• to handle a second person, eneed to prompt for both people's data, then do calcs, then print results all at onc
• New structure:
  • chunk of code for intro
  • chunk of code for person 1
  • chunk of code for person 2
  • print person 1
  • print person 2

Nowmove on to a more structured solution:

• giveIntro
• bm1 = getbmi()
• bm2 =getbmi()
• reportresults(bm1,bm2)

Heuristics: 1. Each method should have a coherent set of responsibilities 2. No one method should do too large a share of the overall task 3. Coupling and dependencies between methods should be minimized 4. The main method should be a concise summary of the overall program 5. Data should be owned at the lowest possible level (abstract away detail and complexity)

Quotes

Murphy's Law:

• If the user can do something wrong, they will do something wrong

Hanscombe's Law:

• Never attribute to malice what is equally attributable to stupidity