Language Fundamentals

Language Fundamentals

1. Encoding Sets

   • Text can be written using characters from practically any human language in use today
   • Java supports the Unicode character encoding set and program element names aren't restricted to ASCII
   • Important separators include () {} [] <> ; : , .

2. Primitives (non-object element)

   • 6 types that represent numbers
     • 4 types for integers: byte, short, int, long
     • 2 types for decimal points: float, double
   • 2 types that represent non-numbers
     • char for a single Unicode character
     • boolean for true/false

3. Variables (data placeholders)

   • Reference vs Primitive types
   • Name or Identifier
     • Must be unique within its scope
     • Must begin with a Java letter
     • Must not be a Java keyword

4. Literals

   • Null literal
   • String literals
   • Literals of primitive types
     • Character
       • Escape sequences
     • Integral
       • long
       • int
       • short
       • byte
     • Floating-Point
       • float
       • double
     • Boolean
       • True/False

5. Constants

   • Declared by keyword final
   • Names are all in upper case with words separated by _