Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Table of Contents

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Term Description
A class that contains one or more abstract methods and
therefore, can never be instantiated. Abstract classes are
Abstract Class
defined so that other classes can be subclass and make them
concrete by implementing the abstract methods.
Are used with classes and methods. The 'abstract' keyword
abstract when used with a class indicates that the class cannot be
Keyword instantiated and when used with methods, indicates that the
method is abstract.
Abstract An API containing a collection of Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Window Toolkit components that have look-and-feel similar to
(AWT) native-platform components.
An object-oriented feature that focuses only on the essential
Abstraction
features of an entity for a specific problem domain.
Are specified to control the access of classes and class
Access Specifier
members.
Annotations or metadata processing in Java source code was
introduced in Java 5. They are comments, notes, remarks, or
Annotations explanations. They help associate additional information to the
program elements. An annotation declaration consists of @
followed by the annotation type.
Anonymous An inner class declared within the body of a method without
Class naming it.
Stands for Application Programming Interface, which
API
represents a set of programs and routines, similar to a library.
These are binary operators and are provided to facilitate
Arithmetic
arithmetic functions such as addition, subtraction,
Operators
multiplication, and so on.
An array is a structure that stores one or more items belonging
Array
to a single data type. Arrays are fixed in size.
An assertion allows testing the correctness of any assumptions
Assertion
that have been made about the program.
Assignment
This operator assigns value to a variable.
Operator
Associativity of Refers to assigning priority or precedence to operators having
Operators same precedence level.
Refers to automatic conversion of primitive types to object
Autoboxing
types.

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Term Description
Base 64 Encoding API Base 64 encoding API has an in-built encoder and a
decoder. The three types of Base 64 encoding are
Simple, URL, and MIME.
Binary Operator An operator that has two arguments.
Works on binary representation of data. It computes
Bitwise Operator values by comparing each bit of one value with the
corresponding bit of the other value.
Java programming language provides boolean data type
boolean Keyword
which stores boolean literal values, true or false.
This keyword is used in a statement within a loop to
break Keyword
immediately terminate the loop.
Machine-independent code generated by the Java
Bytecode
compiler and executed by the Java interpreter.

Term Description
Declares a block of statements that are executed when a
catch Block
runtime exception occurs in the preceding ‘try’ block.
In the Java programming language, refers to a type that
Class
defines the implementation of a particular kind of object.
A data item associated with a particular class as a whole
rather than with particular instances of a class. Class
Class Variable
variables are defined in class definitions. Also, called static
variables.
An environmental variable that specifies the location of the
Classpath class files and libraries needed by the Java compiler to
compile a Java application.
Clock Class In Java 8, clock class is used to get the current instant,
date, and time using time-zone.
A collection is a set of date, in the form of objects or
Collection elements. In Java, it also represents a core interface that
encapsulates different types of collections.
Comments are statements written by the programmer to
Comment document the program and increase its readability.
Comments are ignored by the compiler.
Concurrency Concurrency is an approach in which multiple processes
can start, run, and finish in overlapping time periods.

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Term Description
Methods that are invoked during the creation of an object.
Constructors
They are used to initialize objects with data.
Can be used to skip statements within a loop and proceed
continue Keyword to the next iteration of the loop. If followed by a label,
resumes execution where the label occurs.
Currying Currying is the process of transforming a function having
multiple arguments into a function with a single argument.

Term Description
The @Deprecated annotation is used for deprecating or
@Deprecated
marking a class, method, or field as deprecated signifying
Annotation
that the part of code will no longer be used.
The @Documented annotation is used for informing the
@Documented
JavaDoc tool that custom annotations must be available in
Annotation
the JavaDoc for classes that are using custom annotation.
Determines the type of value that can be stored in a
Data Type variable and the operations that can be performed on
them.
An interface introduced in Java 8, which is immutable and
does not have setter procedures. It provides thread-safety
Date-Time API
and has utility methods to manage date operations. All its
classes are located within the java.time package.
The keyword 'default' in a 'switch' statement indicates that
if none of the case values are matching with the result of
default Keyword
the condition given in the switch expression, then
statement(s) in the default case block will be executed.
Default method is a feature introduced in Java 8 that
Default Method allows default implementation for methods in an interface.
It contains default modifiers.
Are sub classes that are created while implementing
Derived Classes
inheritance.
A Java keyword used to declare a do-while loop that will
do Keyword iterate a block of statements. The loop’s exit condition is
specified with the 'while' keyword.
Duration class comprises a set of methods that can be used
Duration Class
to perform calculations based on a Duration object.

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Term Description
A mechanism that combines data and implementation details into
a single unit called class. It also secures the data through a
Encapsulation
process called data hiding which makes the object as a black box
providing services.
An escape sequence is a special sequence of characters that is
Escape
used to represent characters, which cannot be entered directly
Sequence
into a string.
An exception is an event or an abnormal condition in a program
Exception occurring during execution of a program. It leads to disruption of
normal flow of program instructions.
A block of code that reacts to a specific type of exception. If the
Exception exception is for an error that the program can recover from, the
Handler program can resume executing after the exception handler has
executed.
extends
In Java, 'extends' keyword is used to inherit a class.
Keyword
An enumeration is defined as a list that contains constants. In
Enumeration
Java, enumeration is a class type.

Term Description
Field A data member of a class.
The modifier final is added to a class when its specification is
frozen. The final modifier is used with variables, methods,
final Modifier and classes. Final variables cannot be reassigned a value,
final methods cannot be overridden and final classes cannot
be subclassed.
Is always executed irrespective of whether or not an
finally Block
exception occurs in the try block.
Format specifiers can be used to format the output displayed
Format Specifier
on the screen.
Function<T,R> is an in-built functional interface that is used
Function<T,R> to map scenarios. For example, when an object of specific
type is given as input, it is converted into different type.

Functional A functional descriptor describes the signature of the

Descriptor abstract method of a functional interface.

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Term Description
Functional Interface Functional interface helps the compiler to confirm the
annotated class and verify whether it is a functional
interface or not. It has one abstract method.
Functional Functional programming is a programming approach that
Programming emphasizes on utilization of functions and writing code
that does not change state. It helps to make a program
easier to test, thread-safe, and modular.

Term Description
Garbage A mechanism that automatically destroys unused objects in the
Collection memory.

Term Description
An area of memory that deals with dynamic memory
Heap allocations. This means, Java objects are allocated physical
memory space on the heap at runtime.

Term Description
A conditional construct that evaluates a given condition and
if based on the result of evaluation executes a certain section of
code.
Immutability Immutability is the capability of an object to resist or prevent
change. If the state of an object cannot change after it is
constructed, it is considered immutable. For example, in Java,
String is an immutable type.
Immutable Class Immutable class is one in which the state of its instances
does not change while it is constructed.
implements A Java keyword included in the class declaration to specify
Keyword any interfaces that are implemented by the current class.
A Java keyword used at the beginning of a source file that
can specify classes or entire packages to be referred to later
import Keyword
in the current Java class without including their package
names in the reference.

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Term Description
An infinite stream is a sequence or collection of elements that
Infinite Stream
has no limit.
The ability of one class to inherit the members of another
Inheritance
class is called inheritance.
In Java programming language, an object of a particular class
Instance is created using the new operator. The newly created object
is also referred to as instance of a class.
Function that represents some action to be performed on an
Instance Method
object of a class.
Any item of data that is associated with a particular object.
Instance Variable Each instance of a class has its own copy of the instance
variables defined in the class. Also called a field.
The Instant class in Date-Time API is used for time stamp
creation. It denotes a specific moment in time. One Instant is
Instant Class
defined as the offset from the origin or the starting point,
which is 1/1/1970-00:00-Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
A Java keyword used to define a collection of method
interface definitions and constant values. It can later be implemented
Keyword by classes that define this interface with the implements
keyword.
An operation in which the operators apply logic such that the
Intermediate
inbound stream generates another stream. A stream can
Operations
have n number of intermediate operators.

Term Description
All the source files of a Java application are bundled into a
jar File
single archive file called Java Archive (JAR) file.
java.lang This package contains classes that form the basis for core
Package classes of Java language.
This package contains classes and interfaces that provide
java.util Package
additional utility.
A command that is used to compile a Java program. It
javac
compiles the source code and generates a .class file.
A documentation tool that helps to document the classes in a
javadoc
package and the methods of the classes.
Java Development Kit (JDK) is a binary software development
kit that provides implementation of Java. It provides an
JDK
environment for writing applications and applets in Java
programming language.

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Term Description
jjs Tool jjs is a new command line tool for running JavaScript through
Nashorn. In Java Development Kit 8, it is located in the bin
folder. It is used to launch the Nashorn command line
interpreter.
Refers to Java runtime environment that provides JVM and
JRE
class libraries used to run a Java program.
Java Virtual machine is a software concept based on the idea
of an imaginary computer, which has a logical set of
JVM instructions, and these instructions define the operations of
this computer. JVM provides the runtime environment for
Java programs to work.

Term Description
A local class is declared within a method, constructor, or an
Local Class initializer. In other words, a local class is declared within a block
of code and is visible only within that particular block.
A variable defined within a method or a block and is not
Local Variable
accessible outside that method or block.
Represents a fixed value assigned to a variable. For example, a
Literal value 56 represents an integer literal and value ‘a’ represents a
character literal.
Lambda Lambda expression is a new feature introduced in Java 8 to
Expression facilitate functional programming and make application
development easier. It is a function that does not belong to any
class.
LocalDate This class is contained in the java.time package. It denotes a
Class date without time-zone information. The instance of this class is
immutable.
LocalDateTime This class is contained in the java.time package. It denotes a
Class date and time without time-zone information. The instance of
this class is immutable.
LocalTime This class in Date-Time API signifies the exact time of day
Class without any time-zone data.

Term Description
Math Class The Math class in Java contains several built-in methods to
perform basic numeric calculations such as exponential,
logarithmic, square root, and trigonometric methods. It is
located in the java.lang package.

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Term Description
Math.abs() Math.abs() method produces the absolute value of the given
input in the calculation. This method can be overloaded in four
ways: int, double, long, or float.
Math.ceil() Math.ceil() method rounds a floating-point value close to the
integer value. The rounded value returns double.
Math.exp() Math.exp () method produces e (Euler’s number) increased to
the power of the value given as a parameter.
Math.floor() Math.ceil() method rounds a floating-point value down to the
integer value. The rounded value returns double.
Math.log() Math.log () method produces the logarithm of the given value. It
functions under the basis of logarithm e (Euler’s number). This
method performs the reverse function of math.exp () method.
Math.pow() Math.pow () method takes two parameters and produces the
value of the first parameter raised to the power of the second
parameter.
Math.sqrt() Math.sqrt () method performs the square root operation for the
given parameter.
A member class is a non-static inner class and is declared as a
Member Class
member of an outer or an enclosing class.
In Java, a function declared as a member of a class is called a
Method
method.
Method Method overloading is the ability of a class to define several
Overloading methods with the same name.
When a subclass defines a new method having the same
Method
signature as the superclass method, then the process is called
Overriding
overriding.
Method Method reference is a new feature introduced in Java 8 that
References allows reference to constructors or methods in a program
without executing them.
MonthDay The MonthDay class in Date-Time API is used to represent month
class as well as day-of-month.
In multiple inheritance, classes can inherit methods and
Multiple
properties from several different classes. Java does not support
Inheritance
multiple inheritance.

Term Description
The modifier, native, can be used only with methods. It
native Modifier indicates that the implementation of the method is in a
language other than Java such as C or C++.
Nashorn Nashorn is a newly included JavaScript engine in Java 8
replacing Rhino. Its goal is to provide a lightweight and
high-performance JavaScript runtime in Java with a native
JVM.

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Term Description
A nested class is a class defined within another class. It has
Nested Class access to members of the outer or enclosing class even if
the members are declared private.
In Java, the operator new is used to create object because
new Keyword it assigns memory space to store the object of the given
type.
Null Literals An undefined value assigned to reference variables.

Term Description
The principal building blocks of object-oriented
programs. Each object is a programming unit
Object
consisting of state (variables) and behavior
(methods).
Operators are symbols that help to manipulate or
Operator
perform some sort of function on data.
The process that determines the functionality of the
Object-oriented Analysis
system.
The process of planning a system in which objects
Object-oriented Design
interact with each other to solve a software problem.
Object-oriented Deals with the actual implementation of the
Programming application.
The @override annotation is used to create a
@Override
compile time check to indicate that a method is
Annotation
being overridden.

Term Description
A package is a collection of classes, interfaces, and/or
Packages
other packages.
The PATH variable is set to point to the location of
PATH executables such as javac.exe, java.exe, and program
files.
Polymorphism Refers to an object that can have many different forms.
Means running the same code on different platforms with
Portability
different OS and processor.
A Java keyword used in a method or variable declaration.
private Keyword It signifies that the method or variable can only be
accessed by the members of the class.

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Term Description
A Java keyword used in a method or variable declaration.
It signifies that the method or variable can only be
protected Keyword
accessed by members of the class, subclasses, or classes
in the same package.
A Java keyword used in a class, method, or variable
public Keyword declaration. It signifies that the class, method, or variable
can be accessed by any class.

Term Description
Recursion is a Java programming language feature that
Recursion permits a method to call itself repeatedly. A method that
calls itself is known as recursive.
Refers to terminal operations such as average, max, sum,
Reduction Operation and so on, that return one value by combining the
contents of stream is called reduction operations.
Reflection API is used to access annotations on any type
Reflection API
such as class or interface or methods.
Repeating annotations help to apply the same annotation
Repeating to a declaration or type. The repeating annotations are
Annotations loaded in a container annotation generated by the Java
compiler.

Term Description
@SuppressWarnings The @suppressWarnings annotation can suppress
Annotation compiler warnings in any available method.
The Scanner class allows the user to read values of
Scanner Class
various types.
Short-circuiting If an operation (intermediate or terminal) generates a
Operations finite stream in an infinite stream, it is known as short-
circuiting operations. For example, limit() and skip().
A Java keyword used to define a member to be accessible
without an instance. In other words, members declared
static Keyword
as static can be used directly using the class name; there
is no need to create an instance to access them.

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Fundamental Programming in Java Glossary

Term Description
Static Method A static method reference facilitates use of a static
Reference method as a lambda expression. A static method can be
defined as an enum, class, or an interface.
Stream A stream is a series or set of elements that support
sequential and parallel aggregate operations such as
filtering, sorting, and so on.
Stream API In Java 8, Stream API allows parallel processing. It
supports sequential and parallel aggregate operations to
process data while completely abstracting out the low-
level multithreading logic.
Stream Range Stream range is an approach that allows creating a
range of numbers as stream.
The StringBuilder class provides various methods to
StringBuilder Class manipulate a string object. Objects of StringBuilder
class are growable and flexible.
A class that is derived from a particular class, perhaps
Subclass
with one or more classes in between.
The 'super' keyword allows a subclass to invoke the
super class constructor and methods. It is extremely
super Keyword
helpful when member names of subclass hide the
members existing by the same name in the super class.
A class from which a particular class is derived, perhaps
Superclass
with one or more classes in between.
The switch-case statement contains a variable as an
switch-case expression whose value is compared against different
values specified with the ‘case’ keyword.

Term Description
Terminal A terminal operation is a final call operation to consume a
Operations Stream. A terminal operator is found at the end of a call stack
that performs the terminal operation.
'this' keyword can be used within an instance method or a
constructor to refer to the current object. Any member of the
this Keyword
current object can be referred from within an instance method
or constructor using the keyword 'this'.
In Java, when an error condition arises in a program, the user
throw Keyword can send an exception up to the call chain by using the throw
keyword.
A Java keyword used in method declarations that specify
throws Keyword which exceptions are not handled within the method, but
rather passed to the next higher level of the program.
The 'transient' modifier is used to declare fields that are not
transient Modifier
saved or restored as a part of the state of the object.

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Term Description
The try block consists of a set of executable statements that can
possibly throw exception while executing them. A method, which
try Block may throw an exception, can also be included in the try block. A
try block is followed by one or more catch blocks to handle
exceptions.
Type Type annotations are formed to maintain better analysis of Java
annotations programs and ensure better type checking.
Type Casting Refers to changing an entity from one data type to another.

Term Description
Variable stores the values required in the program. Variables
Variable
should be declared before they are used.
A keyword that is used in method declarations. It informs the
void
compiler that the method will not return any value.
volatile This modifier is used only with variables and it indicates that the
Modifier value of the variable may be changed.

Term Description
A keyword used in looping constructs that executes a statement
while
or a block of statements until the specified condition is true.
Wrapper Allow accessing primitive data types as objects in the Java
Classes program.

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