book

Learn Java the Easy Way

by Bryson Payne

November 2017

Beginner to intermediate

312 pages

8h 39m

English

No Starch Press

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Why Should I Learn to Code?Why Should I Learn Java?What’s in This BookWhat Tools Do I Need?Online ResourcesStart Now!
Java on Windows, macOS, and LinuxInstalling Java 8 and 9 for DevelopersInstalling the Eclipse IDE for Java DevelopersSetting Up EclipseInstalling the WindowBuilder EditorCustomizing Eclipse’s Look and FeelInstalling Android Studio for Mobile App DevelopmentGetting to Know Java with JShellRunning JShellWorking with Java Expressions in JShellDeclaring Java Variables in JShellPrinting Output in JavaJShell CommandsWhat You Learned
Planning the Game Step-by-StepCreating a New Java ProjectCreating the HiLo ClassGenerating a Random NumberGetting User Input from the KeyboardMaking the Program Print OutputLoops: Ask, Check, Repeatif Statements: Testing for the Right ConditionsAdding a Play Again LoopTesting the GameWhat You LearnedProgramming Challenges#1: Expanding Your Range#2: Counting Tries#3: Playing MadLibs
Practicing with JShellCreating a GUI in Four Lines of CodeCreating an Interactive GUI in 10 Lines of Code!Setting Up the GUI App in EclipseGUI Design with Eclipse’s WindowBuilder EditorDesigning the User InterfaceSetting GUI Properties in the Properties PaneCustomizing GUI Components in the Palette PaneAligning GUI ElementsNaming GUI Components for CodingConnecting the GUI to Your Java CodeAdding a Method to Check the Player’s GuessGetting Text from a JTextFieldConverting Strings to NumbersStarting a New GameListening for User Events: Click to Guess!Setting Up the GUI WindowTime to Play!Adding a Play Again FeatureImproving the UXAllowing Users to Press Enter to GuessAutomatically Removing Old GuessesHandling Bad User InputWhat You LearnedProgramming Challenges#1: Showing Users How Many Tries They Took#2: Showing and Hiding a Play Again Button#3: Creating a GUI MadLib

Starting a New Android Studio App ProjectBuilding the GUI Layout in Design ViewNaming GUI Components in Android StudioConnecting the GUI to Java in Android StudioAdding Methods to Check the Guess and Begin a New GameHandling Events in AndroidRunning the App on the Android EmulatorRunning the App on a Real Android DevicePreparing Your DeviceConnecting Your DeviceRunning the App on Your DeviceImproving the UXCentering the User’s Guess in the Text FieldAdding a Listener for the Enter KeyAdding One More Finishing TouchWhat You LearnedProgramming Challenges#1: “Toast”-ing to the Number of Tries#2: Adding Visual Appeal#3: Creating a MadLibs Mobile App
Adding an Options Menu in AndroidAdding Items to the Menu’s XML FileDisplaying the Options MenuResponding to User SelectionsCreating an Alert Dialog Pop-up for the About ScreenChanging the Guessing RangeAdding a Variable for the RangeUsing the range VariableBuilding the Dialog to Allow the User to Select the RangeStoring User Preferences and Game StatsStoring and Retrieving the User’s Preferred RangeStoring the Number of Games WonWhat You LearnedProgramming Challenges#1: You Win Some, You Lose Some#2: Ratio of Wins to Losses
The Caesar CipherSetting Up the Secret Messages AppCreating the Secret Messages Project in EclipseBeginning to Code SecretMessages.javaMessing with StringsCharacters and Values in JavaEncoding Just the LettersClosing the ScannerAdding a Custom Key ValueEncoding DigitsRunning Command Line Apps Without EclipseFinding Your Workspace FoldersOpening a Command Line WindowWhat You LearnedProgramming Challenges#1: Looping the Loop#2: Reversing and Encoding#3: Safely Handling Keys with try and catch
Setting Up the Secret Messages GUI App ProjectDesigning the GUI and Naming ComponentsCoding the Secret Messages GUI AppCreating the encode() MethodWriting the Event Handler for the Encode/Decode ButtonHandling Bad Input and User ErrorsBuilding the main() Method and Running the AppImproving the GUISetting Line Wrap and Word WrapHandling Bad Input and User Errors: Part 2Adding a Slider to the Secret Messages GUICode Cracking with the SliderBonus: Sharing Your App as a Runnable JAR FileWhat You LearnedProgramming Challenges#1: Movin’ On Up!#2: Scrolling Away!#3: Changing the Text to Change the Slider
Setting Up the Mobile GUIDesigning the Mobile GUIWiring the GUI to the Java CodeConnecting the Encode Button to the encode() MethodTesting the AppWorking with the SeekBarRunning the App on the Emulator and on an Android DeviceBonus: Customizing the Floating Action ButtonReceiving Secret Messages from Other AppsWhat You LearnedProgramming Challenges#1: Creating a Move Up Button#2: Changing the SeekBar’s Progress
Creating the BubbleDraw Project FilesBuilding the BubbleDraw FrameCreating a Class for BubblesDefining a BubbleDesigning a Bubble’s MethodsStoring Bubbles in an ArrayListAdding a Constructor to the BubblePanel ClassAdding a Method to Draw on the ScreenTesting the BubblePanel ClassHandling Mouse Events from the UserCreating a Reusable Event ListenerHandling Clicks and DragsBonus: Handling MouseWheel EventsWhat You LearnedProgramming Challenges#1: No Bubble Too Small#2: PixelDraw!
Copying the BubbleDraw Java Project to Create BubbleDrawGUIRenaming the Main Class and Java FileAdding TransparencyAdding Animation: Bubbles Rising!Adding a TimerSetting the TimerPreparing the AnimationStarting the TimerForever Blowing Bubbles: Adding Random Speed and DirectionBuilding a GUI for Our Animated Drawing AppSetting Up the GUI Panel and ButtonsCoding the Clear and Pause/Start ButtonsBouncing off the Walls with Collision DetectionA Soft BounceA Hard BounceAdding a Slider to Control the Animation SpeedCustomizing the SliderImplementing the Slider Event HandlerWhat You LearnedProgramming Challenges#1: No Bubble Left Behind#2: Flexi-Draw!#3: PixelDraw 2.0
Setting Up the BubbleDraw ProjectCreating the BubbleView ConstructorAdding the Animation VariablesCreating the BubbleView() ConstructorPreparing the Layout to Use BubbleViewModifying the Bubble ClassDrawing in Android with the onDraw() MethodTesting BubbleDraw with 100 BubblesAdding testBubbles()Fixing the OnTouchListener ErrorRunning the BubbleDraw AppUsing Threaded Animation and Multitasking in JavaUsing Touch to Draw with Your FingerUsing Multitouch to Draw with 10 Fingers at a Time!Testing Multitouch Events on an Android DeviceChanging the App Launcher IconCreating a Custom App IconAdding the Custom Icon to Your AppDisplaying Your New IconChanging the App NameWhat You LearnedProgramming Challenges#1: Combining One-Finger and Multitouch Events, v1.0#2: Combining One-Finger and Multitouch Events, v2.0
Spelling and CaseCorrecting Typos in EclipseCorrecting Typos in Android StudioAvoiding Other Common Spelling ErrorsComparison TroubleGrouping SymbolsQuick Fixes in EclipseCode Completion in Android StudioSummary

Overview

"Java is the world’s most popular programming language, but it’s known for having a steep learning curve. Learn Java the Easy Way takes the chore out of learning Java with hands-on projects that will get you building real, functioning apps right away.

You’ll start by familiarizing yourself with JShell, Java’s interactive command line shell that allows programmers to run single lines of code and get immediate feedback. Then, you’ll create a guessing game, a secret message encoder, and a multitouch bubble-drawing app for both desktop and mobile devices using Eclipse, an industry-standard IDE, and Android Studio, the development environment for making Android apps.

As you build these apps, you’ll learn how to:

• Perform calculations, manipulate text strings, and generate random colors• Use conditions, loops, and methods to make your programs responsive and concise• Create functions to reuse code and save time• Build graphical user interface (GUI) elements, including buttons, menus, pop-ups, and sliders• Take advantage of Eclipse and Android Studio features to debug your code and find, fix, and prevent common mistakes

If you’ve been thinking about learning Java, Learn Java the Easy Way will bring you up to speed in no time."