User-Defined Classes in Java

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Questions and Answers

Why are user-defined classes used?

  • They enable representation of complex objects. (correct)
  • They provide unlimited data representation.
  • They are not used in programming.
  • They only use primitive data types.

What is a class?

Combines data and the methods that operate on the data.

A class is a ______ (think 'cookie cutter').

template

An object is an ______ of a class (think cookie).

<p>instance</p> Signup and view all the answers

That said, there are _____ ______ ____ tied to the class instead of an object.

<p>class variables</p> Signup and view all the answers

A _____ of a class is a program that uses that class.

<p>client</p> Signup and view all the answers

Java can have ____ constructors.

<p>many</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Java, class/object variables must be ____.

<p>declared</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Java, everything has to have a type, including the ____ ____ of methods.

<p>return value</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions:

<p>fields = Identifiers declared inside the class, but outside any method. constructors = Special-purpose methods called when an object is instantiated. methods = Code segments within a class that manipulate fields.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are instance variables?

<p>Data specific to each instance of the object.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are class variables?

<p>Static data shared by all objects of the class.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Both types are available to ___ the methods.

<p>access</p> Signup and view all the answers

Each ____ in the class contains code that can manipulate one (or more) of the fields.

<p>method</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are members in the context of a class?

<p>Fields and methods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does an access modifier do?

<p>Determines access rights for the class and its members.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Methods of the same class and methods of other classes can be declared as _____

<p>public</p> Signup and view all the answers

Methods of the same class only can be declared as _____

<p>private</p> Signup and view all the answers

Methods of the same class, methods of subclasses, and methods of classes in the same package can be declared as _____

<p>protected</p> Signup and view all the answers

Methods in the same package only are declared with _____.

<p>no access modifier</p> Signup and view all the answers

____ variables are usually declared to be private.

<p>Instance</p> Signup and view all the answers

_____ that will be called by clients of the class are usually declared public.

<p>Methods</p> Signup and view all the answers

Methods that are _____ called by other methods of the ____ class, are declared private.

<p>only, same</p> Signup and view all the answers

You may only have one class declared as public per _____, and the file name must match the class name with the extension '.java'.

<p>file</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is encapsulation?

<p>The concept of restricting access to class members.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is another term for information hiding?

<p>Encapsulation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Encapsulation is the idea that clients of the class do not ____ how the class is implemented.

<p>know</p> Signup and view all the answers

Encapsulation allows you to protect the ____ of the object's data.

<p>integrity</p> Signup and view all the answers

It allows you to change how the class is implemented without causing code that used the object to _____.

<p>break</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do we access private instance variables?

<p>Using accessor and mutator methods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Can we add one to the current value this way? ins.setValue(getValue() + 1)

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Validation ensure?

<p>It ensures that values cannot be set to unwanted values using mutators.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Do not give the ______ the same name as the instance variable.

<p>parameter</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are constructors?

<p>Special-purpose methods that are called only when an object is instantiated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a class in Java that has ten different constructors?

<p>Scanner</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Java, the ____ is not passed as an explicit parameter.

<p>object 'self'</p> Signup and view all the answers

A constructor ______ (some or all) of the instance variables for the new object.

<p>initializes</p> Signup and view all the answers

Constructors do not have a ______.

<p>return type</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

User-Defined Classes Overview

  • User-defined classes enhance data representation beyond primitive data types like int, long, or double, allowing for more complex object modeling.
  • A class amalgamates related data and methods designed to operate on that data.

Class Concepts

  • A class acts as a template, akin to a cookie cutter, guiding the creation of objects.
  • An instance is a specific object created from a class, comparable to a cookie made from the cookie cutter.

Class Composition

  • Classes can include fields and methods, with fields storing data and methods performing actions on that data.
  • Class members encompass both fields (data variables) and methods (functions associated with the class).

Java Class Features

  • Java allows multiple constructors, providing variations in object instantiation.
  • Variables in Java must be explicitly declared, ensuring clear data structures.

Method and Return Value

  • Every method in Java should have an associated type, including the return value.
  • Constructor methods are special, serving to initialize fields when an object is created.

Access Modifiers

  • Access modifiers control visibility and accessibility of class components:
    • public: accessible from outside the class.
    • private: only accessible within the same class.
    • protected: accessible within the same class, subclasses, and same package.
    • No modifier: accessible within the same package.

Encapsulation and Data Integrity

  • Encapsulation promotes information hiding, ensuring class implementation details are not exposed to clients.
  • This protects data integrity and allows for internal changes without affecting external code relying on the object.

Accessing Private Variables

  • Private instance variables can be accessed through accessor (getter) and mutator (setter) methods, facilitating controlled data manipulation.

Constructors Role and Functionality

  • Constructors have no return type and are invoked when a new object is created, initializing instance variables.
  • Ensuring constructors do not use the same names as instance variables is critical for clarity.

Class Examples

  • The Scanner class in Java is an example featuring multiple constructors, illustrating flexibility in object creation.

Summary

  • Understanding user-defined classes, syntax, access control, and encapsulation is crucial for effective object-oriented programming in Java.

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