Java for Mainframe Programmers Course

This hands-on course teaches programmers the essentials of Java programming. This material is uniquely geared to the mainframe programmer, using the knowledge base of that audience to promote understanding of Java. It focuses on defining object programming and the syntax of Java 2, using comparisons to languages such as COBOL and PL/1 where possible

This course is designed for Mainframe application/software developers.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
> Understand Java's place in the programming world
> Understand the elements of object oriented design
> Be able to contrast OO design vs. structural design
> nderstand the essentials of the Java environment, especially the Virtual Machine
> Be able to understand data definition and manipulation in Java
> Be able to create and use objects in Java, employing encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism
> Be familiar with these essential low-level programming mechanisms: collections, exceptions and threads
> Be able to discuss the use of the java.io class for sequential I/O and JDBC for database access
> Have sufficient foundation upon which to build advanced skills

What is java?
Java programming language history and description
Where do Java applications work?
Bytecode and Java Virtual Machines
Java IDE - simple tools in JDK
Look at what we can do with Java - Hello World!
Introduce Java code snippet
Java compilation
Java testing
Intro to OO

What is OO and how is it different from structured programming?
What is an Object?
Relationships among objects
Classes
Methods
Encapsulation
Inheritance
Polymorphism

Java Programming Basics
Program structure
Defining a class - the program framework
Language syntax: columns, comments, case sensitivity
Data definition: attributes, scope, casting
Variable initialization and manipulation
Modular programming vs. object oriented construction
Create application framework
Using class

Building Methods
Defining a method
Program modules in COBOL as a parallel
Arithmetic functions using operators
Control structures: conditional and looping
Invoking the method
Standard methods
Constructors
Accessor and mutator methods (getters and setters)

Handling Objects
Object Notation
The Virtual Machine & Memory allocation
Creating Objects
Handling strings
Handling dates
Handling arrays

Inheritance & Interfaces
Comparison to Global access in COBOL
Review of Inheritance in Java
Defining the inheritance relationship
Method overriding
Encapsulation and access modifiers
Interfaces: Java's answer to multiple inheritance
Defining an Interface
Using an Interface
Interfaces & "Is a"
Polymorphism: The same method name in different classes
Binding

Packages
Supplied Java Packages
Classpath
Contrast to built-in functions and common sub-programs
Defining a package
Using supplied classes
import

Handling Runtime Problems
Runtime Problems
try / catch
Checked Exceptions
Throwing Exceptions
Custom Exceptions
Defining Exceptions

Object Collections
Collections contrasted to built-in COBOL functions
Collections in Java
Lists
Stack
Maps
Properties
Enumeration
Iterator

Inner Classes
Overview of Inner Classes
Nesting classes as compared to nested programs
Static Classes & Interfaces
Referring to Inner Classes
Instance Classes
Local Classes
Anonymous Classes

Multi-Threading
What is a Thread in java and how is it different from legacy systems?
Java and Multi-Threading
The Thread Class
A Thread Example
Using Threads in Java
Synchronization

I/O and Networks
File handling - "Where's my File section?"
Persistant objects
Sequential File I/O
Using java.io
Overview of database access
java.sql

Network programming
Java.net

What's Ahead?
Java Beans, EJB, JSP and other Java topics
Where to go for more information

Programming experience. As noted above this course is geared to mainframe programmers, knowledge of procedural programming languages is assumed. Programmers with OO and/or C++ experience are advised to take course IN 135 Java Programming.