ICSE IX Computer Applications 1 Introduction to Java
Class 9: Chapter 1
Introduction To Java
Lesson 1
Two Parts of Computers
The two parts of a computer are hardware and software. The physical part is hardware and the program
part is software.
Various Kinds of Software
There are two kinds of software. They are System Software and Application Software.
System Software
The software that is used to manage the computer system is System Software. It consists:
1) Operating system. E.g.: WINDOWS, System7.5, LINUX, UNIX, MS DOS etc.
It helps the user to operate both the hardware and software.
2) Language processors. E.g.: Compiler, assembler and interpreter.
These are used to convert the programs which are written in a language of one level to another level.
(Various levels of language are discussed in coming section)
Application Software
The software to satisfy user’s needs is Application Software: It can be again divided into two:
1) General purpose software and Customized software
Programs for the common people and organisations etc.
2) Programming software / Programming language
It is used to develop Application software and System software. E.g.: Java, C, C++ etc.
Various Levels of Computer Languages
1) Low Level Language (LLL)
Machine language is the Low Level Language, i.e., 0 and 1. This is also known as binary language
because it has only two digits. The 0 and 1 that represents absence and presence of electrical energy.
E.g.: 01000001 to represent the character A.
2) Middle Level Language (MLL)
Assembly language is the Middle Level Language. It is the second generation language and it
consists variables and codes like ADD, SUBTRACT, PRINT etc instead of the binary digits.
3) High Level Language (HLL)
Java, C, C++ are high level languages. It contains operators also apart from variables and codes.
Language Processors
The Language processors are interpreter, assembler and compiler. These are used to convert the
programs which are written in a language of one level to another level.
1) Interpreter
The interpreter converts the program written in high level language into low level language, i.e., the
machine language, instruction by instruction (statement by statement).
2) Assembler
The assembler converts the program written in assembly language into low level language, i.e., the
machine language, instruction by instruction.
3) Compiler
The compiler converts the program written in high level language into low level language, i.e., to
the machine language, the program as a whole.
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ICSE IX Computer Applications 2 Introduction to Java
Lesson 2
Introduction To Java
Two Types of Java Programs
Two types of Java programs are Internet Applets and Stand Alone Applications.
The Internet applets are programs embedded in web pages and used for internet applications.
The Stand Alone Applications are programs used in independent computers without web pages.
Source Code
The program written in High Level Languages such as Java, Python, C, C++ etc. is known as source code.
The extension of saved source code is .java (dot java).
Machine Code
The language of computer is machine language i.e., binary (0 and 1). The instructions in binary form are
machine code. It is the Low Level Language. The binary code of A is 01000001 and B is 01000010.
Object Code / Machine Executable Code / Native Executable Code
The source code converted into machine code to a particular platform is object code (machine executable
code / native executable code). For different platforms, different object codes are produced.
The extension of a Java object code is .class (dot class).
Note: The platform generally refers to combination of system software and hardware like Windows
on Pentium IV or System7.5 on PowerMacs.
Ordinary Compilation Process
The compiler for Windows converts the source program directly to machine code for Windows only. The
compiler for System7.5 compiles to machine code only for System7.5. The compiler for a particular system
software can convert only for that system software.
Source Code Compiler of Machine Code
for Windows Windows for Windows
Source Code Compiler of Machine Code
for System7.5 System7.5 for System7.5
Java Compilation Process
Java Compiler compiles the source code to Java Byte Code, then this byte code is interpreted by Java
Interpreter into Machine Code for a specific platform i.e., if the operating system is Windows then to the
machine code for Windows, if the operating system is System7.5 then to the machine code for System7.5.
Diagrammatic Representation of Java Compilation Process
Machine Code
Java Java Java for Windows
Source Code Compiler Byte Code Interpreter
Machine Code
for System7.5
Note: When a source code is compiled, if there are errors, these are to be corrected. Only the corrected source
code will be compiled. The errors are known as program bugs. Correcting the errors is known as debugging.
Java Language Processors
There are two language processors of Java: the Java Compiler and the Java Interpreter (Java Virtual Machine).
Java Complier
Java Compilter is a language processor of Java that converts source code into Java Byte Code.
Java Interpreter/Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
Java Interpreter/Java Virtual Machine is a language processor of Java that converts Byte Code into object code.
Java Byte Code
Java byte code is a machine instruction i.e., an intermediate code which is converted from source code
by Java compiler. The Java byte code is machine independent.
Java API (Java Application Programming Interface)
Java API is a library of compiled code (small built-in programs) that can be used in our program in order to
reduce our program effort.
Java Platform:
The JVM combined with Java APIs makes Java platform.
JDK (Java Development Kit):
It contains Java compiler, Java Virtual Machine (JVM), Java API etc.
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ICSE IX Computer Applications 3 Introduction to Java
Lesson 3
Importance of Java
Java is Platform Independent
The program written in Java can be run on any platform that means it can be executed by any operating
system and any processors; because the source code is compiled by Java Compiler to byte code which is
suited to any platform and then interpreted by JVM to native executable code. So Java is platform
independent.
Java is a Programming Language as well as a Platform
Java can be used to develop various application programs like MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc. So Java is a
programming language. Java includes some programs like compiler, interpreter - generally which are
parts of a system software. So Java is a platform also.
Features of Java
The following are the features of Java
1. Simple: By simple code we can create big programs.
2. Robust: Java can be used to develop even complex softwares.
3. Secured: Java offers many security features to make the programs safe and secure.
4. Object Oriented Language: Similar kinds problems are considered as a class and each individual is
considered object of this classs and their problem is solved this class definition.
5. Platform Independent: Java can be run on any platform.
6. Write Once Run Anywhere (WORA): Java programs need to be written only once. It can be run on different
platforms.
7. Built-in Graphics: Java offers many built-in graphics features.
8. Open Product: Freely available to all.
Short History of Java
1. When was Java introduced, who developed it and what was its initial name?
In 1991, Java was developed by James Gosling. Initially its name was Oak.
2. When was it formally announced as Java?
In 1995, Oak was formally announced as Java by Sun Micro Systems.
3. What was its initial use and when is it incorporated to web browsers?
Initially Oak is used in consumer electronic devices such as microwave oven, washing machine etc.
In 1995 its name changed to Java and it is incorporated to the web browsers Netscape Navigator.
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ICSE IX Computer Applications 4 Introduction to Java
Lesson 4
BlueJ an IDE
Note: This lesson is not for the board exam but for some additional knowledge.
IDE
An IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is used to develop programs. It consists:
1) Editor – to write the programs
2) Debugger – to find errors. Bugs means errors in a program. Debug means correction of errors.
3) Viewer / Project Window– to see the parts of program graphically
4) Terminal window – to input values to the program and get output from it.
Some IDEs to Develop Java Programs
Some professional IDEs to develop Java programs are IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and NetBeans.
BlueJ
BlueJ is an IDE specially designed for learning Java at an introductory level.
Steps of Writing a Program in BlueJ
New Project Creation
1) Open BlueJ.
2) Click on Project menu and New Project option.
3) Type Folder name (e.g.: Lesson1) and clik on Create button (or press Enter key).
4) Click on New class… button and type any alphabet in the Class name: text box (e.g.: a).
5) Right click on the icon that is appeared and left click on Open Editor and maximize the window.
6) Press Ctrl+A to select all contents and type your program.
New Class Creation in the Existing Project
Do the steps 4 to 6.
Compiling and Running the Program
1) Click on Compile button or press Ctrl+k.
If there is no error then there will be a message Class compiled – no syntax error.
If there is error the error will be shown. Correct the error and compile again.
2) Click on the Project window on the Task bar and right click on the class icon and left click
on void main() option in the list shown.
3) The output is displayed in the Terminal Window. Click on Options menu and select Clear
screen at method call option in order to avoid this output with the next one.
Close the Class and Project
Use the close button or Ctrl+w.
Open Recent Project
Click on Project window, point to Open Recent option, select the requied project from the list.
Remove Unwanted Class
Right click on the class icon and click on the Delete.
Remove Unwanted Project
Use the Windows Explorer and delete from there.
Questions
1. What is an IDE?
2. What is a program bug?
2. What is meant by debugging?
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