U5 | Classes
5.1 Anatomy of a Class & 5.2 Constructors
Methods vs Constructors
-
Methods: functions defined within a class that preforms specific actions for objects of that class
-
Constructors: special methods in a class that are responsible for initializing the object’s state when an instance of the class is created
// EXAMPLE CLASS
public class Snack {
// Instance Variables
private String name;
private int calories;
// Default Constructor
public Snack() {
name = "";
calories = 0;
}
// Overloaded Constructor
public Snack (string n, int c) {
name = n;
calories = c;
}
// Accessor method 1
public String getName() {
return name;
}
// Access method 2
public int getCalories() {
return calories;
}
// Mutator method 1
public void setName(String n) {
name = n;
}
// Mutator method 2
public void setCalories(int c) {
calories = c;
}
private boolean canEat() {
return (calories < 150);
}
}
Snack.main(null);
private vs public
-
public: allows access from classes outside the declaring class (classes, constructors)
-
private: restricts access to the declaring class (instance variables)
methods can be either public or private
Popcorn Hack: Which of the following lines will cause an error?
Line 8 choiceTwo.calories = 150
since calories is private it cannot be used in SnackDriver class.
public class SnackDriver {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Snack choiceOne = new Snack("cookies", 100);
Snack choiceTwo = new Snack();
System.out.println(choiceOne.getName());
System.out.println(choiceOne.getCalories());
choiceTwo.setName("chips");
choiceTwo.calories = 150;
}
}
SnackDriver.main(null);
Key term: Encapsulation
- A fundmanetal concept of OOP
- Wraps the data (variable) and code that acts on the data (methods) in one unit (class)
- In AP CSA we do this by:
- Writing a class
- Declaring the instance variables as private –> enforce constraints and ensure integrity of data
- Providing accessor (get) methods and modifier (set) methods to view and modify variables outside of the class
public class Sport {
private String name;
private int numAthletes;
public Sport () {
name = "";
numAthletes = 0;
}
// Parameters in contructors are local variables
public Sport (String n, int numAth) {
name = n;
numAthletes = numAth;
}
// What if not all instance variables are set through parameters?
public Sport (String n) {
name = n;
numAthletes = 0;
}
}
Sport tbd = new Sport();
Sport wp = new Sport("Water Polo", 14);
Sport wp = new Sport("Volleyball");
- if no constructor provided, Java provides default constructor: int (0), double (0.0), strings and other objects (null)
Hacks
Create a Book class where each book has a title, genre, author, and number of pages. Include a default and overloaded constructor.
public class Book {
private String title;
private String genre;
private String author;
private int numberOfPages;
public Book() {
title = "Untitled";
genre = "Unknown";
author = "Unknown Author";
numberOfPages = 0;
}
public Book(String title, String genre, String author, int numberOfPages) {
this.title = title;
this.genre = genre;
this.author = author;
this.numberOfPages = numberOfPages;
}
public String getTitle() {
return title;
}
public String getGenre() {
return genre;
}
public String getAuthor() {
return author;
}
public int getNumberOfPages() {
return numberOfPages;
}
public void setTitle(String title) {
this.title = title;
}
public void setGenre(String genre) {
this.genre = genre;
}
public void setAuthor(String author) {
this.author = author;
}
public void setNumberOfPages(int numberOfPages) {
this.numberOfPages = numberOfPages;
}
@Override
public String toString() {
return "Title: " + title + "\nGenre: " + genre + "\nAuthor: " + author + "\nNumber of Pages: " + numberOfPages;
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Using the default constructor
Book defaultBook = new Book();
System.out.println("Default Book:");
System.out.println(defaultBook);
// Using the overloaded constructor
Book customBook = new Book("Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days", "Fiction", "Jeff Kinney", 185);
System.out.println("\nCustom Book:");
System.out.println(customBook);
}
}
Book.main(null);
Default Book:
Title: Untitled
Genre: Unknown
Author: Unknown Author
Number of Pages: 0
Custom Book:
Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Genre: Fiction
Author: Jeff Kinney
Number of Pages: 185
5.3 Documentation with Comments
REMEMBER: comments are ignored by the compiler and anything written in them won’t execute
- they’re used for people to make code more readable.. allows them to understand what’s happening without having to go further into the code
- improves communication between TEAMS
- allows code to be maintained over years
- prevents execution when testing alternative code
You are NOT required to write comments of AP Exam FRQs, but it is always a good habit
The types of comments:
1) Single line: // 2) Multiline: /* */ 3) Java Doc: /** * * */
/*
Programmer:
Date:
Purpose
*/
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
// variables
double length = 2.5;
double width = 4;
//.. and so on
}
}
/**
* javadoc comments:
* jkafhjdajhf
*
* @author
* @version
*/
Javadoc is a tool that pulls any comments written in this format to make a documentation of the class in the form of a webpage
Javadoc also has tags (as shown above)
Preconditions: conditions that must be met before the execution of a code in order for it to run correctly
- Will be written in comments for a method for most APCSA questions
- it is assumed that these preconditions are true, we do not need to check!
Postconditions: conditions that must be met after the conditions has been executed (outcome, state of variables, ect)
- Will be written in comments for a method for most APCSA questions
- we do have to check to make sure these have been met
- good way to get a summary of what you need to be doing
// EXAMPLE FROM AP CLASSROOM:
public class SecretWord {
private String word;
public SecretWord(String w) {
word = w;
}
/**
* Precondition: parameter num is less than the length of word
* Postcondition: Returns the string of the characters of word from the index hum to the end of the word followed by the characters of word from index 0 to num, not including index num. The state of word has not changed
*/
public String newWord(int num)
{
//implementation not shown
}
}
5.4 Accessor Method
OUR GOAL: to define behaviors of an object through non-void methods NOT using parameters written in a class
REMEMBER: an accessor method allows other objects to access static variables
What is the purpose of an accessor method?
It allows us to safely access variables without other people being able to. Also called get methods or getters.
They’re necessary whenever another class needs to access a variable outside of that class.
// Example class
public class Movie {
// private instance variables
private String name;
private int runtime;
// default constructor
public Movie() {
name = "";
runtime = 0;
}
// overloaded constructor:
public Movie(String n, int c) {
name = n;
runtime = c;
}
// added ACCESSOR METHOD for each variable
public String getName() { // header
return name; // returning a COPY of the private instance variables
}
public int getRuntime() {
return runtime
}
}
An accessor method must be:
public
in order to be accessible- the return type must match the instance variable type
- usually name of method is getNameOfVariable
- should be NO PARAMETERS
POPCORN HACKS: write an accessor method for each of the instance variables:
public class Course {
private String name;
private String gradeLevel;
private int period;
public String getName() {
return name;
}
public String getGradeLevel() {
return gradeLevel;
}
public int getPeriod() {
return period;
}
}
Course course = new Course();
course.setName("Math");
course.setGradeLevel("10th grade");
course.setPeriod(2);
String courseName = course.getName();
String courseGradeLevel = course.getGradeLevel();
int coursePeriod = course.getPeriod();
Let’s look at another example:
public class Sport {
private String name;
private int numAthletes;
public Sport(String n, int num) {
name = n;
numAthletes = sum;
}
public String getName() {
return name;
}
public int getNumAthletes () {
return numAthletes;
}
}
Can we print out information about an instance of this object?
public class Sport {
private String name;
private int numAthletes;
public Sport(String n, int num) {
name = n;
numAthletes = num;
}
public String getName() {
return name;
}
public int getNumAthletes() {
return numAthletes;
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Sport volleyball = new Sport("volleyball", 12);
System.out.println(volleyball);
}
}
Sport.main(null);
What output did we get?
The code outputs the Object
class in the form of classname@HashCode in hexadecimal
Let’s try using the toString
method:
- returns a string when System.out.println(object) is called
- no parameters
public class Sport {
private String name;
private int numAthletes;
public Sport(String n, int num) {
name = n;
numAthletes = num;
}
public String getName() {
return name;
}
public int getNumAthletes() {
return numAthletes;
}
public String toString() { // toString method.. HEADER MUST BE WRITTEN IN THIS WAY
return "Sport: " + name +"\nNumber of Athletes: " + numAthletes;
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Sport volleyball = new Sport("volleyball", 12);
System.out.println(volleyball);
}
}
Sport.main(null);
5.5. Mutators / Setters
Purpose: Mutators are used to change the values of the fields (attributes) of an object.
Access Control: Mutators are typically defined as public methods to allow external code to modify the object’s state.
Naming Convention: The method names for mutators usually start with “set” followed by the name of the field they modify.
Parameterized: Mutators take one or more parameters that represent the new values for the fields.
Return Type: Mutators are usually of type void, as they don’t return a value, but they modify the object’s state.
Encapsulation: Mutators are an essential part of encapsulation, which helps to protect the object’s state by controlling access through methods.
Validation: Mutators often include validation logic to ensure that the new values being set are within acceptable bounds or meet specific criteria.
Example Usage: Mutator for setting the age of a Person object might look like: public void setAge(int newAge) {…}.
Chaining: Mutators can be chained together in a single line for more fluent and concise code, e.g., person.setName(“John”).setAge(30);.
Immutable Objects: In some cases, mutators are not used, and instead, a new object with modified values is created. This approach is common in creating immutable objects in Java.
Example
public class UserAccount {
private String username;
private String password;
private boolean isLoggedIn;
public UserAccount(String username, String password) {
this.username = username;
this.password = password;
this.isLoggedIn = false;
}
// Mutator for setting the username
public void setUsername(String newUsername) {
this.username = newUsername;
}
// Mutator for setting the password
public void setPassword(String newPassword) {
this.password = newPassword;
}
// Mutator for logging in
public void login(String enteredUsername, String enteredPassword) {
if (enteredUsername.equals(username) && enteredPassword.equals(password)) {
isLoggedIn = true;
System.out.println("Login successful. Welcome, " + username + "!");
} else {
System.out.println("Login failed. Please check your username and password.");
}
}
// Mutator for logging out
public void logout() {
isLoggedIn = false;
System.out.println("Logged out successfully.");
}
// Accessor for checking if the user is logged in
public boolean isLoggedIn() {
return isLoggedIn;
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Create a UserAccount
UserAccount userAccount = new UserAccount("alice", "password123");
// Attempt to log in
userAccount.login("alice", "password123");
// Check if the user is logged in
if (userAccount.isLoggedIn()) {
// Access the Scrum board or other features here
System.out.println("Accessing Scrum boards...");
} else {
System.out.println("Access denied. Please log in.");
}
// Log out
userAccount.logout();
}
}
Hacks
Create a Java class BankAccount to represent a simple bank account. This class should have the following attributes:
-
accountHolder (String): The name of the account holder. balance (double): The current balance in the account. Implement the following mutator (setter) methods for the BankAccount class:
- setAccountHolder(String name): Sets the name of the account holder.
- deposit(double amount): Deposits a given amount into the account.
- withdraw(double amount): Withdraws a given amount from the account, but only if the withdrawal amount is less than or equal to the current balance.
Ensure that the balance is never negative.
public class BankAccount {
private String accountHolder;
private double balance;
public BankAccount(String accountHolder, double balance) {
this.accountHolder = accountHolder;
this.balance = balance;
}
public void AccountHolder(String name) {
this.accountHolder = name;
}
public void deposit(double amount) {
if (amount > 0) {
balance += amount;
} else {
System.out.println("Deposit amount must be greater than zero.");
}
}
public void withdraw(double amount) {
if (amount > 0) {
if (amount <= balance) {
balance -= amount;
} else {
System.out.println("Insufficient funds. Withdrawal not allowed.");
}
} else {
System.out.println("Withdrawal amount must be greater than zero.");
}
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
BankAccount account = new BankAccount("Person 1", 5000.0);
account.AccountHolder("Person 2");
account.deposit(800.0);
account.withdraw(200.0);
System.out.println("Account holder: " + account.accountHolder);
System.out.println("Current balance: " + account.balance);
}
}
BankAccount.main(null);
Account holder: Person 2
Current balance: 5600.0
5.6 Writing Methods
- Method Declaration: Define methods using the method keyword, specifying return type, method name, and parameters.
- Method Parameters: Methods can take input parameters.
- Return Statement: Use the return statement to return a value from a method.
- Method Overloading: You can have multiple methods with the same name but different parameter lists.
- Static Methods: Static methods are associated with the class rather than instances.
- Instance Methods: Instance methods are associated with an object of the class.
- Access Modifiers: Use access modifiers like public, private, or protected to control visibility.
- Method Invocation: Call methods using the dot notation on objects or classes (for static methods).
- Recursive Methods: Methods can call themselves, creating recursive functions.
- Varargs (Variable-Length Argument Lists): Use varargs to pass a variable number of arguments to a method.
Example
public class Calculator {
public int add(int operand1, int operand2) {
return operand1 + operand2;
}
public int subtract(int operand1, int operand2) {
return operand1 - operand2;
}
public int multiply(int operand1, int operand2) {
return operand1 * operand2;
}
public int divide(int dividend, int divisor) {
if (divisor != 0) {
return dividend / divisor;
} else {
throw new ArithmeticException("Division by zero is not allowed.");
}
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Calculator calculator = new Calculator();
int resultAdd = calculator.add(5, 3);
int resultSubtract = calculator.subtract(10, 7);
int resultMultiply = calculator.multiply(4, 6);
int resultDivide = calculator.divide(8, 2);
System.out.println("Addition: " + resultAdd);
System.out.println("Subtraction: " + resultSubtract);
System.out.println("Multiplication: " + resultMultiply);
System.out.println("Division: " + resultDivide);
}
}
Hacks
Create a Java class MathUtility with a set of utility methods for mathematical operations. Implement the following methods:
- calculateAverage(double[] numbers): Calculate the average of an array of numbers.
- isPrime(int number): Check if a given integer is prime.
- findFactors(int number): Find and return an array of factors for a given integer. Include proper error handling for edge cases and invalid input.
public class MathUtility {
// Implement the calculateAverage method
public double calculateAverage(double[] numbers) {
// Add code to calculate and return the average of the numbers
}
// Implement the isPrime method
public boolean isPrime(int number) {
// Add code to check if the given number is prime
}
// Implement the findFactors method
public int[] findFactors(int number) {
// Add code to find and return the factors of the given number
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Test the MathUtility class with sample mathematical operations
MathUtility mathUtility = new MathUtility();
// Test the utility methods
double[] numbers = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6};
double average = mathUtility.calculateAverage(numbers);
System.out.println("Average of the numbers: " + average);
int numberToCheck = 17;
boolean isPrime = mathUtility.isPrime(numberToCheck);
System.out.println(numberToCheck + " is prime: " + isPrime);
int numberToFactor = 12;
int[] factors = mathUtility.findFactors(numberToFactor);
System.out.print("Factors of " + numberToFactor + ": ");
for (int factor : factors) {
System.out.print(factor + " ");
}
}
}
Average of the numbers: 3.5
17 is prime: true
Factors of 12: 1 2 3 4 6 12
5.7 Static Variables and Methods
Static Methods
- Define behaviors of a class (belong to class, NOT object)
- Keyword static in header before method name
- Can only: access/change static variables
- Can’t: access/change instance variables or the class’ instance variables, no this reference
Practice
Should we use a static or non-static method?
public class Assignment{
// next classwork/homework ID is NEXT number of classwork/homework that will be created
private static int nextClassworkID = 1;
private static int nextHomeworkID = 1;
private String name;
private int pointValue;
// constructors and methods not shown
}
Question: What is the static data and what is the instance data?
Answer: nextClassworkID and nextHomeworkID = static data. name and pointValue = instance data.
Question: A method getGrade is given an int score earned on the assignment and returns the percentage (as a decimal) earned by that score. Would this be implemented as a static or non-static method?
- Think: What data does it need access to? If needs access to instance data, needs to be non-static. If only need access to static data, it can be static.
Answer: non-static, since the method would need to access pointValue which is an instance variable.
Popcorn Hacks: write getGrade method
public class Assignment {
private static int nextClassworkID = 1;
private static int nextHomeworkID = 1;
private String name;
private int pointValue;
private int studentScore;
public Assignment(String name, int pointValue) {
this.name = name;
this.pointValue = pointValue;
this.studentScore = 0;
}
public void setStudentScore(int score) {
if (score >= 0 && score <= pointValue) {
this.studentScore = score;
} else {
System.out.println("Invalid score. Score must be between 0 and " + pointValue);
}
}
public double getGrade() {
if (pointValue == 0) {
return 0.0;
} else {
return (double) studentScore / pointValue * 100;
}
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Assignment classwork = new Assignment("Classwork 1", 10);
classwork.setStudentScore(8);
System.out.println("Grade for " + classwork.name + ": " + classwork.getGrade() + "%");
}
}
Assignment.main(null);
Grade for Classwork 1: 80.0%
Question: Would a method that reports the total number of assignments be static or non-static?
Answer: static, since the method would only need to access static data
Popcorn Hacks: write this method totalAssign
public class Assignment {
// next classwork/homework ID is NEXT number of classwork/homework that will be created
private static int nextClassworkID = 1;
private static int nextHomeworkID = 1;
private String name;
private int pointValue;
public Assignment(String name, int pointValue) {
this.name = name;
this.pointValue = pointValue;
}
// method here
public static int totalAssign() {
return nextClassworkID + nextHomeworkID;
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Assignment rand = new Assignment("Doe", 23);
System.out.println(rand.totalAssign());
}
}
Assignment.main(null);
2
Multiple Choice Question
public class Example{
private static int goal = 125;
private int current;
public Example (int c) {
// code segment 1
}
public static void resetGoal (int g) {
// code segment 2
}
// other methods not shown
}
Which of the following statements is true?
- Code segment 1 can use the variable goal but cannot use the variable current.
- Code segment 1 cannot use the variable goal but can use the variable current.
- Code segment 2 can use the variable goal but cannot use the variable current.
- Code segment 2 cannot use the variable goal but can use the variable current.
- Both code segments have access to both variables
Answer: Statement 3
Question: Which ones can code segment 1 (constructor) use?
Answer: Both variables, it is non static.
Static Variables
- Define static variables that belong to the class, all object of the class sharing that single static variable (associated with class, NOT objects of class)
- Either public or private
- static keyword before variable type
- used with class name and dot operator
Multiple Choice Question
public class Example{
private static int goal = 125;
private int current;
public Example (int c) {
// code segment 1
}
public static void resetGoal (int g) {
// code segment 2
}
// other methods not shown
}
Which of the following statements is true?
- Objects e1 and e2 each have a variable goal and variable current.
- Objects e1 and e2 share the variable goal and share the variable current.
- Objects e1 and e2 share the variable goal and each have a variable current.
- Objects e1 and e2 each have a variable goal and share the variable goal and share the variable current.
- The code does not complie because static variables must be public.
Answer: 2
5.8 Scope and Access
- Local variables: variables declared in body of constructors and methods, only use within constructor or method, can’t be declaed public or private
- If local variable named same as instance variable, within that method the local variable will be referred to
public class Bowler{
private int totalPins;
private int games;
public Bowler(int pins){
totalPins = pins;
games = 3;
}
public void update (int game1, int game2, int game3) {
// local variable here is newPins
int newPins = game1 + game2 + game3;
totalPins += newPins;
games += 3;
}
}
Multiple Choice Question
public class Example{
private int current;
public Example(int c){
double factor = Math.random();
current = (int)(c * factor);
}
public void rest (int num) {
private double factor = Math.random();
current += (int)(num * factor)
}
// other methods not shown
}
Which of the following is the reason this code does not compile?
- The reset method cannot declare a variable named factor since a vriable named factor is declared in the constructor.
- The reset method cannot declare factor as private since factor is a local variable not an instance variable.
- The constructor cannot declare a variable named factor since a variable named factor is declared in the reset method.
- The constructor cannot access the isntance variable current since current is private.
- There is no syntax error in this code and it would compile.
5.9 this Keyword
this keyword