December 2009
Intermediate to advanced
1170 pages
28h 4m
English
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Chapter 1. Introduction
CHAPTER GOALS
To understand the activity of programming
To learn about the architecture of computers
To learn about machine code and high-level programming languages
To become familiar with the structure of simple Java programs
To compile and run your first Java program
To recognize compile-time and run-time errors
To write pseudocode for simple algorithms
The purpose of this chapter is to familiarize you with the concepts of programming and program development. It reviews the architecture of a computer and discusses the difference between machine code and high-level programming languages. You will see how to compile and run your first Java program, and how to diagnose errors that may occur when a program is compiled or executed. Finally, you will learn how to formulate simple algorithms using pseudocode notation.
What Is Programming?
You have probably used a computer for work or fun. Many people use computers for everyday tasks such as balancing a checkbook or writing a term paper. Computers are good for such tasks. They can handle repetitive chores, such as totaling up numbers or placing words on a page, without getting bored or exhausted. Computers also make good game machines because they can play sequences of sounds and pictures, involving the human user in the process.
The flexibility of a computer is quite an amazing phenomenon. The same machine can balance your checkbook, print your term paper, and play a game. In contrast, other machines carry out a much narrower ...
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O’Reilly covers everything we've got, with content to help us build a world-class technology community, upgrade the capabilities and competencies of our teams, and improve overall team performance as well as their engagement.Julian F.
I wanted to learn C and C++, but it didn't click for me until I picked up an O'Reilly book. When I went on the O’Reilly platform, I was astonished to find all the books there, plus live events and sandboxes so you could play around with the technology.Addison B.
I’ve been on the O’Reilly platform for more than eight years. I use a couple of learning platforms, but I'm on O'Reilly more than anybody else. When you're there, you start learning. I'm never disappointed.Amir M.
I'm always learning. So when I got on to O'Reilly, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are playlists. There are answers. There's on-demand training. It's worth its weight in gold, in terms of what it allows me to do.