Keywords, Identifiers & Literals in Java
1. Keywords
• Definition: Reserved words in Java that have a special meaning for the compiler.
• Rules: Cannot be used as names for variables, classes, or methods.
• Examples:
class, public, static, if, else, for, int, new, return, etc.
• Total: 67 (including reserved words like goto and const).
Example:
public class Hello { // "public" and "class" are keywords
public static void main(String[] args) {
int num = 5; // "int" is a keyword
}
}
Java Keywords with Meanings
Keyword Meaning (Short & Simple)
abstract Defines a class/method that cannot be directly instantiated or
must be implemented by a subclass.
assert Used for debugging; tests assumptions in code.
boolean Data type for true or false.
break Exits a loop or switch early.
byte 8-bit integer data type.
case Defines a branch in a switch statement.
catch Handles exceptions thrown in a try block.
char Single 16-bit Unicode character.
class Defines a class.
const* Reserved word, not used.
continue Skips the rest of loop iteration and jumps to next.
default Defines the default block in switch.
do Starts a do-while loop.
double 64-bit floating-point number.
else Defines alternate branch in if.
enum Defines a set of named constants.
extends Shows inheritance (class extends another class).
final Declares constants, prevents inheritance/overriding.
finally Block that always executes after try-catch.
float 32-bit floating-point number.
for Defines a for loop.
goto* Reserved word, not used.
if Executes a block conditionally.
implements A class uses an interface.
import Imports other classes/packages.
instanceof Tests if an object is of a specific type.
int 32-bit integer data type.
interface Defines a contract (like a blueprint) for classes.
long 64-bit integer data type.
native Used for methods implemented in another language (like C).
new Creates new objects.
package Defines a group of classes/interfaces.
private Access modifier: accessible only in same class.
protected Access modifier: accessible in package & subclasses.
public Access modifier: accessible everywhere.
return Exits a method and optionally returns a value.
short 16-bit integer data type.
static Defines class-level members (no object needed).
strictfp Enforces strict floating-point rules.
super Refers to parent class.
switch Executes one block out of many options.
synchronized Ensures thread safety by locking a block/method.
this Refers to current object.
throw Used to throw an exception.
throws Declares exceptions a method may throw.
transient Prevents a field from being serialized.
try Starts a block to handle exceptions.
void Declares a method with no return value.
volatile Ensures variable updates are visible across threads.
while Defines a loop that runs while condition is true.
Newer Java Keywords (Modules & Modern Features)
Keyword Meaning
exports Exports a package in a module.
module Defines a module.
open Opens a module for deep reflection.
opens Opens a package for reflection.
provides Defines a service a module provides.
requires Declares dependencies of a module.
to Specifies target module in exports or opens.
transitive Makes a dependency available to other modules.
uses Declares a service used by a module.
var Local variable type inference (Java 10).
yield Returns a value from a switch expression.
record Defines an immutable data class (Java 14).
sealed Restricts which classes can extend a class (Java 15).
non-sealed Opposite of sealed, allows open extension.
permits Declares which classes can extend a sealed class.
2. Identifiers
• Definition: Names given to variables, methods, classes, packages, etc.
• Rules for identifiers:
1. Can contain letters, digits, underscore _, and dollar sign $.
2. Cannot start with a digit.
3. Cannot be a keyword.
4. Case-sensitive (Age and age are different).
• Examples: myVariable, Student, _total, $price.
Example:
int age = 20; // "age" is an identifier
3. Literals
• Definition: Fixed constant values directly written in the program.
• Types of literals:
o Integer literals: 10, -25, 0
o Floating-point literals: 3.14, -0.5, 2.0
o Character literals: 'A', '9', '#'
o String literals: "Hello", "Java"
o Boolean literals: true, false
o Null literal: null
Example:
int x = 100; // 100 is an integer literal
double pi = 3.14; // 3.14 is a floating-point literal
char grade = 'A'; // 'A' is a character literal
String name = "Raj"; // "Raj" is a string literal
boolean flag = true; // true is a boolean literal
