Classes and Objects in Java
1
Introduction
Java is a true Object Oriented Language and therefore the
underlying structure of all Java programs is classes.
Anything, we wish to represent in Java must be encapsulated
in a class that defines the “state” and “behavior” of the basic
program components known as objects.
Classes create objects and objects use methods to
communicate between them. They provide a convenient
method for packaging a group of logically related data items
and functions that work on them.
A class essentially serves as a template for an object and
behaves like a basic data type “int”. It is therefore important
to understand how the fields and methods are defined in a
class and how they are used to build a Java program that
incorporates the basic Object Oriented concepts such as
encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. 2
Classes
A class is a collection of fields (data) and
methods (procedure or function) that operate
on that data.
Circle
centre
radius
circumference()
area()
3
Classes
The basic syntax for a class definition:
class ClassName [extends SuperClassName]
{
[fields declaration]
[methods declaration]
}
class – no fields, no methods
public class Circle
{
// my circle class
}
4
Adding Fields: Class Circle with fields
Add fields
public class Circle
{
public double x, y; // centre coordinate
public double r; // radius of the circle
The fields (data) are also called the instance
variables
5
Adding Methods
A class with only data fields has no life. Objects
created by such a class cannot respond to any
messages.
Methods are declared inside the body of the class but
immediately after the declaration of data fields.
The general form of a method declaration is:
type MethodName (parameter-list)
{
Method-body;
}
6
Adding Methods to Class Circle
public class Circle
{
public double x, y; // centre of the circle
public double r; // radius of circle
//Methods to return circumference and area
public double circumference()
{
return 2*3.14*r;
}
public double area() Method Body
{
return 3.14 * r * r;
}} 7
Data Abstraction
Declare the Circle class, have created a new
data type – Data Abstraction
Can define variables (objects) of that type:
Circle aCircle;
Circle bCircle;
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Class of Circle cont.
aCircle, bCircle simply refers to a Circle
object, not an object itself.
aCircle bCircle
null null
Points to nothing (Null Reference) Points to nothing (Null Reference)
9
Creating objects of a class
Objects are created dynamically using the
new keyword.
aCircle and bCircle refer to Circle objects
aCircle = new Circle() ; bCircle = new Circle() ;
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Creating objects of a class
aCircle = new Circle();
bCircle = new Circle() ;
bCircle = aCircle;
11
Creating objects of a class
aCircle = new Circle();
bCircle = new Circle() ;
bCircle = aCircle;
Before Assignment After Assignment
aCircle bCircle aCircle bCircle
P Q P Q
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Automatic garbage collection
The object Q does not have a reference and
cannot be used in future.
The object becomes a candidate for automatic
garbage collection.
Java automatically collects garbage
periodically and releases the memory used to
be used in the future.
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Accessing Object/Circle Data
Similar to C syntax for accessing data defined
in a structure.
ObjectName.VariableName
ObjectName.MethodName(parameter-list)
Circle aCircle = new Circle();
aCircle.x = 2.0 // initialize center and radius
aCircle.y = 2.0
aCircle.r = 1.0
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Executing Methods in Object/Circle
Using Object Methods:
sent ‘message’ to aCircle
Circle aCircle = new Circle();
double area;
aCircle.r = 1.0;
area = aCircle.area();
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Using Circle Class
// Circle.java: Contains both Circle class and its user class
//Add Circle class code here
class MyMain
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
Circle aCircle; // creating reference
aCircle = new Circle(); // creating object
aCircle.x = 10; // assigning value to data field
aCircle.y = 20;
aCircle.r = 5;
double area = aCircle.area(); // invoking method
double circumf = aCircle.circumference();
System.out.println("Radius="+aCircle.r+" Area="+area);
System.out.println("Radius="+aCircle.r+" Circumference ="+circumf);
}
}
Radius=5.0 Area=78.5
Radius=5.0 Circumference =31.400000000000002
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