Table of Contents
Preface………….. ............................................................................................................................... 21
About the Authors ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Acknowledgments ..................................................................................................................................... 23
How This Book is Organized ................................................................................................................. 23
Who Should Buy This Book? ................................................................................................................. 23
Where to Find Answers to Review Questions and Exercises ................................................. 24
How to Report Errata............................................................................................................................... 24
Conventions Used in This Book ........................................................................................................... 25
Section 1 Introductory Knowledge ....................................................................................... 27
Chapter 1 How a Computer Works ........................................................................................28
1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 28
1.2 What is Hardware? .................................................................................................................... 28
1.3 What is Software? ...................................................................................................................... 29
1.4 How a Computer Executes (Runs) a Program ............................................................... 29
1.5 Compilers and Interpreters ................................................................................................... 29
1.6 What is Source Code? ............................................................................................................... 30
1.7 Review Questions: True/False ............................................................................................. 30
1.8 Review Questions: Multiple Choice ................................................................................... 31
Chapter 2 Java ..............................................................................................................................34
2.1 What is Java? ................................................................................................................................ 34
2.2 What is the Difference Between a Script and a Program? ....................................... 34
2.3 Why You Should Learn Java .................................................................................................. 34
2.4 How Java Works ......................................................................................................................... 35
Chapter 3 Software Packages to Install ..............................................................................37
3.1 Java Development Kit (JDK) .................................................................................................. 37
3.2 How to Set Up JDK ..................................................................................................................... 37
3.3 NetBeans ........................................................................................................................................ 37
3.4 How to Set Up NetBeans IDE ................................................................................................ 38
Review Questions in “Introductory Knowledge” ...............................................................43
Section 2 Getting Started with Java....................................................................................... 44
Chapter 4 Introduction to Basic Algorithmic Concepts ..................................................45
4.1 What is an Algorithm? ............................................................................................................. 45
4.2 The Algorithm for Making a Cup of Tea ........................................................................... 45
4.3 Properties of an Algorithm .................................................................................................... 45
4.4 Okay About Algorithms. But What is a Computer Program Anyway? ................ 46
4.5 The Party of Three! ................................................................................................................... 46
4.6 The Three Main Stages Involved in Creating an Algorithm .................................... 46
