UNIT- I

CHAPTER IN BOOK- 6
CLASSES & METHODS
-K. Indhu

SYLLABUS COVERED HERE

Introducing Classes and Methods in
Java

K. INDHU

GOALS
1. Introduction
2. Syntax for Class & Example for Class
3. Example for Class with Two Objects
4. Declaring Objects Syntax
5. Use of new Operator
6. Assigning Object Reference Variables
7. Methods Syntax & Example
8. Constructors Definition & Example
9. Three types of Constructors
10.Parameterized Constructors
11.This Keyword
12.Garbage Collection in Java Runtime Environment
13.Finalize() method
14.Stack Class Example with Output
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INTRODUCTION

The class is at the core of Java.

It is the logical construct upon which the entire Java

language is built because it defines the shape and
nature (or template) of an object.

Any concept we wish to implement in a Java program

must be encapsulated within a class.

DEFINITION:1. A class is a template for an object.

2. In other words, a Class is a group of objects belonging
to similar kind.
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SYNTAX FOR CLASS

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EXAMPLE FOR CLASS

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EXAMPLE FOR CLASS WITH 2

OBJECTS

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DECLARING OBJECTS SYNTAX

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USE OF NEW OPERATOR

The "new" operator dynamically allocates memory for an

object.

It has this general form:class-variable = new classname( );

Here, class-variable is a variable of the class type being

created.
The classname is the name of the class that is being
instantiated.
The class name followed by parentheses specifies the
constructor for the class.

A constructor initializes class members, when an object of a

class is created.

However, if no explicit constructor is specified, then Java will

automatically supply a default constructor.
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ASSIGNING OBJECT
REFERENCE VARS.

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METHODS SYNTAX

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METHODS EXAMPLE

CLASSS FIELD DECLARATIO

METHOD RETURNING DOU

METHOD WITHOUT
RETURN VALUE
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METHODS EXAMPLE
CONTINUED

CREATE 2 OBJECTS
CALL FUNCTION
WITHOUT
RETURN VALUE
CALL FUNCTION
WITH RETURN
VALUE DOUBLE

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CONSTRUCTORS

DEFINITION:Constructors is a SPECIAL FUNCTION->

-> which has same name as that of its class
name and,
-> that do not have return type.
PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTOR:It can be tedious to initialize all of the
variables in a class each time an instance is
created.
A constructor initializes an object immediately
upon creation.
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CONSTRUCTORS EXAMPLE

CONSTRUCTOR NAMED BOX IS WRITTE

new ClassName() automatically invokes

Constructor with no parameters

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THREE TYPES OF
(1) DEFAULTCONSTRUCTORS
CONSTRUCTOR->

CONSTRUCTOR WITH NO PARAMETERS

(2) PARAMETERIZED CONSTRUCTOR->

CONSTRUCTOR WITH ONE OR MORE PARAMETERS

HERE, VALUES PASSED THRU PARAMETERS ARE
ASSIGNED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CLASS.
IF PARAMETER NAME IS EQUAL TO CLASS MEMBER
NAME, THEN USE THIS POINTER TO ACCESS MEMBER
OF CLASS.

(3) COPY CONSTRUCTOR->

COPY CONSTRUCTOR IS NOT THERE IN JAVA LIKE IN C+

+.
BUT, USING PARAMETERIZED CONSTRUCTOR, OBJECT
CAN BE PASSED AS PARAMETER TO JAVA METHOD.
IN THIS WAY ONE OBJECT CAN BE COPIED TO ANOTHER
OBJECT.
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PARAMETRIZED
CONSTRUCTORS

CONSTRUCTOR WITH THREE PARAM

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THIS KEYWORD

That is, This is always a reference to the object on

which the method was invoked.

// A redundant use of this.

Box(double w, double h, double d)
{
this.width = w;
this.height = h;
this.depth = d;
}

The use of this is redundant, but perfectly correct.

Inside Box( ), this will always refer to the CURRENTLY
INVOKING OBJECT.
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USES OF THIS KEYWORD

It is used to have SAME NAME to the parameter and

Class field member name.

Like Below->

// Use this to resolve name-space collisions.

Box(double width, double height, double depth)
{
this.width = width;
this.height = height;
this.depth = depth;
}

It is used to hide the Instance Variable Name.

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GARBAGE COLLECTION

Java handles de-allocation of un-used memory, for us

automatically.

THIS TECHNIQUE OF DE-ALLOCATING UN-USED

MEMORY AUTOMATICALLY BY JAVA RUN TIME
ENVIRONMENT, IS CALLED GARBAGE
COLLECTION.

Garbage Collection works like this:1. "When no references to an object exist, that object is
assumed to be no longer needed and the memory
occupied by the object can be reclaimed.
2. There is no explicit need to destroy objects as in C++."
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FINALIZE() METHOD

By using finalization, you can define specific actions that

will occur when an object is just about to be reclaimed by
the garbage collector.

Inside the finalize( ) method you will specify those actions

that must be performed before an object is destroyed.

The garbage collector runs periodically, checking for

objects that are no longer referenced.

The finalize( ) method has this general form:protected void finalize( )

{
// finalization code here (or) WIND UP ACTIVITIES DONE
HERE
}

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STACK CLASS EXAMPLE

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STACK CLASS EXAMPLE

CONTINUED

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STACK CLASS OUTPUT

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SO FAR WE STUDIED
Introducing Classes and Methods in Java

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HAPPY
LEARNING!!!