class
an extensible program-code template for creating objects, providing initial values for states (variables) and implementations of behaviours (functions, procedures, methods)
identifier
a named pointer that explicably identifies an object, class, method or variable
primitive data types
the most basic types (boolean, byte, char, short, int, long, float, double) / building blocks of data manipulation
variable
a named storage location for a value that a program can manipulate. They must be declared before they can be used and can only contain data of a particular type
instance variables
non-static variables and are declared in a class outside any method, constructor, or block. They are created when an object of the class is created and destroyed when the object is destroyed
parameters
the names of the information that are wanted to be used in a function or procedure. They allow information to be passed into functions and procedures
arguments
the values passed in
local variable
a variable defined within a block or method or constructor. They are created when the block is entered or the function is called and destroyed after exiting the block or when the call returns from the function
method
a set of code which is referred to by name and can be called at any point in a program simply by utilising the method’s name. Can be described as a subprogram that acts on data and often returns a value
accessor
a type of method used in Java OO Programming that which returns the value of a private instance (class) variable. Also known as a getter method
mutator method
a method used to control changes to an encapsulated instance (class) variable / state. Also known as setter methods
constructor method
an instance method (defined inside a class) that is invoked when an object of that class is created (by using the keyword new)
method signature
the combination of the method name and the parameter list
public
that the class, method, field or constructor can be accessed from any other class
private
the methods, variables, and constructors can only be accessed within the declared class itself. Classes cannot be private. The private modifier encapsulates the object
protected
variables, methods, and constructors can only be accessed by the subclasses in any class within the package of the protected members’ class. Protected cannot be applied to classes. Protected access gives the subclass a chance to use the helper method or variable, while preventing a non related class from trying to use it
static
the variable or function is shared between all instances of that class as it belongs to the type, not the objects themselves
internationalisation
the use of common character sets among many platforms and languages (e.g. Unicode).
Unicode
a computing industry standard designed to consistently encode, represent, and handle text expressed in most of the world’s writing systems
open source movement
a movement that supports the use of open source licenses for some or all software. Programmers who support the open source movement philosophy contribute to the open source community by voluntarily writing and exchanging programming code for software development