Basic Terms in Java with Example

This tutorial will cover brief description about some of the basic or common terms used in a java programs. The detail description of each terms will be given in it's respective tutorials. For beginners it's necessary to understand these terms in order to start writing program in java.

Keywords - Every programming language defines a set of words which has a predefined meaning in that programming language. These words are known as keywords. You can not use these words for variable names, method names, class names or any other identifier names in your program, since these are reserved words. Java has also defined some words which has a predefined meaning in java programming language, java programmers can not use these words for naming their identifiers in a program. These reserved words are known as keywords in java.

For example, in statement int a = 10, int is keyword which represents the data type of variable a. You can not use int keyword as your variable, method or class names. Similarly the words class, public, static, void are java keywords in above program. To see the list of all java keywords refer the table given in Identifier Naming Convention section .

 // Following are incorrect declaration since final and switch are keyword in java.
 		
 int final = 20; // final can not be used as variable name
 class switch {} // switch can not be used as class name

class - The class is a keyword in java which is used to define a class. In java every program must have a class. A class contains set of methods and variables. After class keyword programmers need to write the name of the class which is used to refer that class within or outside the class. In above program MyFirstProgram is the name of class, everything that is inside balanced {} after the class name are the part of class. Refer classes in java tutorial to get a complete detail about class in java.

Statement - A statement is similar to a sentence in english language. As sentences makes a complete idea, similarly java statement makes a complete unit of execution. In above program line 5,7,8 are statements.

Method - A method is set of statements that performs specific task or call other methods. A method has a name and a return type. The name of the method is used to refer that method within or outside the class. A class can have multiple methods. In above program main is the method name. Everything that comes in balanced { } after method name are the part of method. Every java program must have a main method if it needs to be run independently. The main method is the starting point of execution of a program in java. Refer methods in java tutorial to get more detail about methods.

block - A block is a group of zero or more statements. it starts with curly braces { and ends with balanced }. All statements inside balanced { } is the part of block. A block is generally used to group several statements as a single unit. A block can have another block inside it. Blocks does not have a name, they are just logical grouping of statements inside { }. Refer static and instance initializer blocks in java to get more detail about blocks in java.

public - The keyword public is an access modifier that decides the visibility or accessibility of a member. Variables or methods declared with public keyword can be accessed outside the class. Since main method is called by JVM at the time of program execution that is why it must be declared as public, otherwise JVM won't be able to find the main method in your program and your program will not execute. Refer access modifiers in java tutorial to get more detail about access modifiers in java.

static - The static is a keyword in java. A method or variable declared with static keyword can be called without creating the object of that class. Since JVM calls the main method without creating the object of class, that is why it must be declared as static, otherwise JVM won't be able to call the main method. Refer static keyword tutorial to get more detail about static keyword in java.

return - The return is also a keyword in java. It is used to return value from the method to the caller of the method. Every method must have a return type, if it's not returning any value then the return type of that method must be void. Since main method doesn't return any value, that's why it's return type is void. Refer return statement tutorial to get more detail about return keyword in java.

Variable and data type - Variable in java is very similar to variable in mathematics, used to store value. Data type of a variable defines what type of data that variable can store. In above program a is a variable and int is it's data type, which means a can contain only integer type of value. Refer variable in java tutorial to get more detail about variables.

Parameter - A parameter is special kind of variable which receives the value from the caller of the method. A parameter can be used within the method in which it is declared. In above example args is a parameter of type String array. Any argument passed to program while running the program is stored in args parameter. Refer this tutorial to get more detail about parameters in java.

System.out.println() - It is used to print the output(any string or variable) of a program on console. Anything passed to println method will be printed on console. A console is basically a window or terminal where you can pass input to program or print the output of a program. Command prompt(cmd) in windows is an example of console.

After reading this tutorial you may have got some understanding about basic terms in java program but still you may have number of questions, don't worry you will get to know more detail about these terms in later tutorials.