Introduction to Java Programming: Writing Good Code from edX

This is an introductory course to learn programming with Java designed to teach how to code good programs in Java, understanding “good” as both correct and efficient. Basic principles of software engineering will be introduced to make it easier for our future self and others to reuse code. Ethical issues and the intellectual property of our programs will also be addressed in the last part of this course. Examples and case studies will be provided, so that learners can implement simple but increasingly complex programs in Java.

Emphasis is put on immediate feedback and on having a fun experience. Programming knowledge is not only useful to be able to program today’s devices such as computers and smartphones. It also opens the door to computational thinking, i.e. the application of computing techniques to every-day processes.

This course is designed taking into account the subset and recommendations of the College Board in order to prepare learners for the Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science A exam..

What you'll learn

Detect and correct common programming errors at compile time
Detect and correct common programming errors at run time using debugging tools
Check that the program does what it has to using unit testing processes
Compare the efficiency of two programs in terms of the resources used
Model simple programs using basic software engineering techniques
Determine if a program has been developed respecting ethical considerations

What's inside

Learning objectives

Detect and correct common programming errors at compile time
Detect and correct common programming errors at run time using debugging tools
Check that the program does what it has to using unit testing processes

Compare the efficiency of two programs in terms of the resources used
Model simple programs using basic software engineering techniques
Determine if a program has been developed respecting ethical considerations

Detect and correct common programming errors at compile time
Detect and correct common programming errors at run time using debugging tools
Check that the program does what it has to using unit testing processes
Compare the efficiency of two programs in terms of the resources used
Model simple programs using basic software engineering techniques
Determine if a program has been developed respecting ethical considerations

Syllabus

1. Debugging The first week starts from basic errors that occur at compile time and at run time when developing programs, and introduces debugging as a powerful and flexible strategy to detect and correct errors. The Eclipse IDE Debugger will be used to illustrate the debugging process with practical examples. 2. Reasoning & Testing The second week addresses formal mechanisms to test that programs do what is expected of them, introducing unit testing processes, particularized in the JUnit framework for testing programs written in the Java language. 3. Complexity The third week analyzes programs from the point of view of efficiency in the use of resources, such as computation time and storage, and presents simple mechanisms to improve the efficiency of Java programs. 4. Software Engineering The fourth week introduces basic principles of software engineering with the aim to improve robustness, modularity, reusability and maintainability of programs. 5. Ethics The last week studies ethical issues related to software development, including privacy, legal issues, intellectual property rights, and social ramifications.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Ideal for those with an interest in computer science

Taught by instructors who are recognized for their work in Computer Science

Develops essential computer science skills and tools

Covers the basics of software engineering in a concise and clear manner

Hands-on exercises and practical examples provide a comprehensive learning experience

Uses Eclipse IDE Debugger, which is industry-standard

Emphasizes best practices in debugging and testing, which is valuable for professional software development

Students can progress at their own pace

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Java Programming: Writing Good Code with these activities:

Review Head First Java, 2nd Edition

Show steps

Gain a comprehensive understanding of Java programming concepts through guided explanations and engaging examples.

View Melania on Amazon

Show steps

Follow Tutorials on Java Error Handling

Show steps

Enhance programming skills by learning how to handle errors effectively in Java.

Browse courses on Java

Show steps

Find tutorials on Java error handling
Follow the steps to implement error handling techniques
Review examples to understand how errors are caught and resolved

Debug Practice

Show steps

Practice debugging techniques to improve understanding of common programming errors.

Show steps

Set breakpoints in code to debug step-by-step
Use print statements to output intermediate values
Inspect variables in the debugger to identify errors

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Unit Testing Practice

Show steps

Strengthen testing skills by writing unit tests for Java programs.

Show steps

Create test cases to cover various scenarios
Write assertions to verify expected outcomes
Run tests to identify and fix bugs

Write a Blog Post on Software Engineering Principles

Show steps

Reinforce understanding and improve communication skills by writing a blog post on software engineering.

Browse courses on Software Engineering

Show steps

Research and gather information on software engineering principles
Organize thoughts and outline the post
Write a clear and concise blog post

Java Project: Implement a Simple Game

Show steps

Apply principles of programming with Java to create a functional game, enhancing coding skills.

Browse courses on Programming

Show steps

Design the game's rules and logic
Implement the game using Java code
Test and debug the game

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Java Programming: Writing Good Code will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Computer Programmer

A Computer Programmer takes user requirements and designs, codes, debugs, implements, and maintains a wide variety of computer software programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer programmers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2019 to 2029. There is a growing demand for skilled programmers due to the increasing use of computers and software applications in various industries. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers apply engineering principles to the design, development, maintenance, testing, and evaluation of computer software. They use their knowledge of programming languages, software engineering principles, and computer hardware to create efficient and reliable software applications. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites. They may also be involved in web design, web programming, and web server administration. Employment of web developers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2019 to 2029. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Game Developer

Game Developers design, develop, and maintain video games. They may also be involved in game design, game programming, and game testing. Employment of game developers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2019 to 2029. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineers design, develop, and maintain artificial intelligence systems. They may also be involved in artificial intelligence research and development. Employment of artificial intelligence engineers is projected to grow 26 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to extract insights and make predictions. They may also be involved in data analysis, data mining, and machine learning. Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, test, and maintain software applications. They use programming languages to create instructions that computers can follow to perform specific tasks. Employment of software developers is projected to grow 22 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This course can help learners build a foundation in the principles of software development, including debugging, testing, and software engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Mobile Application Developer

Mobile Application Developers design, develop, and maintain mobile applications. They may also be involved in mobile app design, mobile app programming, and mobile app testing. Employment of mobile application developers is projected to grow 27 percent from 2019 to 2029. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Application Developer

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analysts study an organization's current computer systems and procedures, and design, implement, and maintain new systems or enhancements to existing ones. They may also be involved in training users on new systems and procedures. Employment of computer systems analysts is projected to grow 9 percent from 2019 to 2029. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and security of an organization's databases. They may also be involved in developing and implementing data backup and recovery plans. Employment of database administrators is projected to grow 10 percent from 2019 to 2029. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers design and evaluate user interfaces for websites, software applications, and other products. They may also be involved in user research, prototyping, and usability testing. Employment of user experience designers is projected to grow 23 percent from 2019 to 2029. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, develop, and maintain robots. They may also be involved in robotics research and development. Employment of robotics engineers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2019 to 2029. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. They may also be involved in investigating security breaches. Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 31 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals, technical reports, and white papers. They may also be involved in technical communication, content development, and product documentation. Employment of technical writers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2019 to 2029. This course can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field, including debugging, testing, and software engineering principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

College Professor

College Professors teach and conduct research in their field of expertise. They may also be involved in curriculum development, student advising, and course instruction. Employment of college professors is projected to grow 9 percent from 2019 to 2029. This course may be useful to those who wish to pursue a career in academia, as it can help them develop the skills and knowledge necessary to teach computer programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for College Professor