Java Complete Guide (Interview Edition)
1. Introduction to Java
Java is a high-level, class-based, object-oriented programming language that is designed to have
as few implementation dependencies as possible. It is platform-independent, which means code
written in Java can run anywhere with the JVM.
2. Basic Syntax
Every Java program starts with a class definition and a main method. Example:
public class HelloWorld {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Hello, World!");
}
}
3. Data Types and Variables
Java has two categories of data types: - Primitive (int, double, char, boolean, etc.) - Non-primitive
(Strings, Arrays, Objects).
int age = 25;
double price = 99.99;
char grade = 'A';
boolean isJavaFun = true;
4. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Java follows OOP principles: Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism, Abstraction. Example of
Class & Object:
class Car {
String brand;
int year;
Car(String brand, int year) {
this.brand = brand;
this.year = year;
}
void display() {
System.out.println(brand + " - " + year);
}
}
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Car car1 = new Car("Tesla", 2024);
car1.display();
}
}
5. Exception Handling
Java provides try-catch blocks to handle runtime errors gracefully.
try {
int result = 10 / 0;
} catch (ArithmeticException e) {
System.out.println("Error: " + e.getMessage());
}
6. Collections Framework
The Java Collections Framework provides data structures like List, Set, Map. Example:
import java.util.*;
public class CollectionExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
List<String> list = new ArrayList<>();
list.add("Apple");
list.add("Banana");
list.add("Orange");
for(String fruit : list) {
System.out.println(fruit);
}
}
}
7. Multithreading
Java supports multithreading to run multiple tasks simultaneously.
class MyThread extends Thread {
public void run() {
System.out.println("Thread running: " + Thread.currentThread().getName());
}
}
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
MyThread t1 = new MyThread();
t1.start();
}
}
8. Real-Time Example: Selenium WebDriver with Java
Example of using Selenium WebDriver with Java to open Google and search.
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.By;
public class GoogleSearchTest {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.setProperty("webdriver.chrome.driver", "path/to/chromedriver");
WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
driver.get("https://www.google.com");
driver.findElement(By.name("q")).sendKeys("Java Tutorial");
driver.findElement(By.name("q")).submit();
System.out.println("Page Title: " + driver.getTitle());
driver.quit();
}
}
9. Generics in Java
Generics enable types (classes and interfaces) to be parameters when defining classes, interfaces,
and methods. This provides stronger type checks at compile-time and eliminates the need for
typecasting.
class Box<T> {
private T content;
public void setContent(T content) {
this.content = content;
}
public T getContent() {
return content;
}
}
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Box<Integer> intBox = new Box<>();
intBox.setContent(123);
System.out.println(intBox.getContent());
}
}
10. Java Streams & Lambda Expressions
Lambda expressions and Streams make it easier to process collections in a functional style.
import java.util.*;
import java.util.stream.*;
public class StreamExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
List<String> names = Arrays.asList("John", "Jane", "Tom", "Jerry");
names.stream()
.filter(n -> n.startsWith("J"))
.map(String::toUpperCase)
.forEach(System.out::println);
}
}
11. JDBC (Java Database Connectivity)
JDBC is used to connect and execute queries with databases.
import java.sql.*;
public class JdbcExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
try {
Connection con = DriverManager.getConnection("jdbc:mysql://localhost:3306/testdb", "root"
Statement stmt = con.createStatement();
ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery("SELECT * FROM users");
while(rs.next()) {
System.out.println(rs.getInt("id") + " " + rs.getString("name"));
}
con.close();
} catch(Exception e) {
System.out.println(e);
}
}
}
12. Design Patterns in Java
Design patterns are proven solutions to common problems in software design. Some popular
patterns in Java include Singleton, Factory, and Observer.
// Singleton Pattern Example
class Singleton {
private static Singleton instance;
private Singleton() {}
public static Singleton getInstance() {
if (instance == null) {
instance = new Singleton();
}
return instance;
}
}
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Singleton obj1 = Singleton.getInstance();
Singleton obj2 = Singleton.getInstance();
System.out.println(obj1 == obj2); // true
}
}
13. Java 8+ Features
Java 8 and beyond introduced key features like: - Functional Interfaces - Default & Static Methods
in Interfaces - Streams API - Optional Class - New Date & Time API (java.time).
import java.time.LocalDateTime;
public class DateTimeExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
LocalDateTime now = LocalDateTime.now();
System.out.println("Current DateTime: " + now);
}
}
14. Unit Testing with JUnit
JUnit is a popular framework to write and run repeatable automated tests in Java.
import static org.junit.Assert.assertEquals;
import org.junit.Test;
public class CalculatorTest {
@Test
public void testAddition() {
Calculator calc = new Calculator();
assertEquals(10, calc.add(5, 5));
}
}
class Calculator {
public int add(int a, int b) {
return a + b;
}
}
15. Real-Time Project Example: Selenium with Page Object Model
The Page Object Model (POM) is a design pattern in Selenium that enhances test maintenance and
reduces code duplication.
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement;
import org.openqa.selenium.support.FindBy;
import org.openqa.selenium.support.PageFactory;
class LoginPage {
WebDriver driver;
@FindBy(id="username")
WebElement usernameField;
@FindBy(id="password")
WebElement passwordField;
@FindBy(id="loginBtn")
WebElement loginButton;
LoginPage(WebDriver driver) {
this.driver = driver;
PageFactory.initElements(driver, this);
}
public void login(String user, String pass) {
usernameField.sendKeys(user);
passwordField.sendKeys(pass);
loginButton.click();
}
}
public class LoginTest {
public static void main(String[] args) {
WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
driver.get("https://example.com/login");
LoginPage login = new LoginPage(driver);
login.login("admin", "password123");
driver.quit();
}
}
16. Java Interview Q&A;
Here are some frequently asked Java interview questions with answers and code snippets.
Q1: Difference between == and .equals()?
- == checks reference equality (whether two references point to the same object). - .equals() checks
value equality (whether two objects are meaningfully equal).
String a = new String("Java");
String b = new String("Java");
System.out.println(a == b); // false (different references)
System.out.println(a.equals(b)); // true (same content)
Q2: What is the difference between final, finally, and finalize()?
- final: Used to declare constants, prevent method overriding, or inheritance. - finally: A block used
in exception handling, always executes. - finalize(): A method called by Garbage Collector before
object destruction.
Q3: Explain Checked vs Unchecked Exceptions.
- Checked exceptions: Must be declared/handled at compile-time (e.g., IOException,
SQLException). - Unchecked exceptions: Occur at runtime (e.g., NullPointerException,
ArithmeticException).
Q4: Coding Challenge - Find the first non-repeated character in a
String.
This is a common string manipulation interview question.
import java.util.*;
public class FirstNonRepeated {
public static void main(String[] args) {
String input = "programming";
LinkedHashMap<Character, Integer> map = new LinkedHashMap<>();
for(char c : input.toCharArray()) {
map.put(c, map.getOrDefault(c, 0) + 1);
}
for(Map.Entry<Character, Integer> entry : map.entrySet()) {
if(entry.getValue() == 1) {
System.out.println("First non-repeated: " + entry.getKey());
break;
}
}
}
}
Q5: Coding Challenge - Reverse a Linked List.
Reversing a linked list is a very common data structure question.
class Node {
int data;
Node next;
Node(int d) { data = d; }
}
public class ReverseLinkedList {
public static Node reverse(Node head) {
Node prev = null, curr = head, next = null;
while (curr != null) {
next = curr.next;
curr.next = prev;
prev = curr;
curr = next;
}
return prev;
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Node head = new Node(1);
head.next = new Node(2);
head.next.next = new Node(3);
head = reverse(head);
while (head != null) {
System.out.print(head.data + " ");
head = head.next;
}
}
}
Q6: Coding Challenge - Implement Singleton Design Pattern
(Thread Safe).
Interviewers often ask about Singleton pattern implementation.
class Singleton {
private static volatile Singleton instance;
private Singleton() {}
public static Singleton getInstance() {
if(instance == null) {
synchronized(Singleton.class) {
if(instance == null) {
instance = new Singleton();
}
}
}
return instance;
}
}
End of Interview Edition
This guide now includes Java basics, advanced concepts, real-time Selenium integration, and
interview Q&A; with coding challenges.
