Java Fundamentals: Object-oriented Design from Pluralsight

Simply programming in an OO language does not make your program object oriented. This course teaches you how to leverage essential object-oriented principles to write solid, maintainable code, while avoiding common pitfalls.

Simply using an OO language like Java does not make your program object oriented. In fact, when used incorrectly, OO-language features can make your program bloated, overly complex, and impossible to maintain. This course, Java Fundamentals: Object-oriented Design, teaches you how to write effective production-quality OO systems by leveraging the basic principles of good OO design. It assumes you know the nuts and bolts of Java, and goes beyond those to teach you how to write effective, production-quality code in Java, or any other OO language. You will learn how to structure your code to be highly maintainable and easy to modify. You'll learn about the pitfalls of many common idioms (like getters and setters and too-open subclassing). You'll also see the SOLID principles used to solve real-world programming issues as well as see a lot of code that demonstrates the principles. When you're done with the class, you'll have a solid understanding of good OO structure and principles, and be able to apply those principles to your own work.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Introduction

Thinking in Objects

Defining Behavior and State

Extending Classes

Defining Class Contracts with Interfaces

Working Without Getters and Setters

Testing OO systems

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches foundational object-oriented programming principles and concepts

Emphasizes the importance of good OO design and structure

Reviews common pitfalls of object-oriented programming

Demonstrates these principles in code

Provides a solid understanding of OO structure and principles

Assumes some prior knowledge of Java

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 Java Fundamentals: Object-oriented Design with these activities:

Refresher on OOP concepts in Java

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Prepare for the course by revisiting foundational OOP concepts, ensuring a strong knowledge base for the more advanced topics covered in class.

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Review notes or online resources on OOP principles
Focus on understanding inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation
Practice writing simple Java code to apply these concepts

Organize and review course materials regularly

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Reinforce your understanding of course concepts by regularly reviewing and organizing notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams, enhancing retention and recall.

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Establish a structured system for organizing and storing course materials
Review notes within 24 hours of a lecture
Periodically summarize key concepts and ideas from the materials

Read Head First Java

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Reinforce the course's object-oriented principles by examining real-world examples in the context of a Java application.

View Head First Software Development: A Learner's... on Amazon

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Read the introduction and Chapter 1
Skim Chapters 2-5
Focus on Chapters 6-11 for a deeper understanding of OOP concepts

Six other activities

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Host a peer discussion and code review group

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Engage with fellow students to discuss course concepts, share code snippets, and review each other's work to foster collaboration and deepen understanding.

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Identify a few fellow students who share your learning goals
Set up regular meeting times
Take turns facilitating discussions and presenting code for review

Attend a Java OOP workshop

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Gain practical insights and hands-on experience by attending a Java OOP workshop, complementing the theoretical knowledge acquired in class.

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Research and identify reputable Java OOP workshops
Register for a workshop that aligns with your learning goals
Actively participate in the workshop and engage with instructors

Solve LeetCode problems on OOP concepts

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Apply the principles of object-oriented programming by solving coding challenges that test your understanding of inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation.

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Select LeetCode problems tagged with 'Object-Oriented Programming'
Focus on solving problems related to inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation
Review solutions to identify best practices and avoid common pitfalls

Follow a tutorial series on Java design patterns

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Expand your knowledge of object-oriented programming by learning and applying common design patterns used in Java applications.

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Identify a reputable tutorial series or online course on Java design patterns
Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises
Implement the design patterns in your own Java code

Build a simple Java application using OOP principles

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Solidify your understanding of OOP by designing and developing a Java application that incorporates classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism.

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Identify a problem or need that can be solved with an OOP approach
Design the class structure and relationships
Implement the application using Java
Test and refine your application

Contribute to open-source Java projects

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Apply your OOP skills in a practical setting by contributing to real-world Java projects on platforms like GitHub or GitLab, fostering collaboration and enhancing your understanding.

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Identify open-source Java projects that align with your interests
Review the project documentation and codebase
Contribute bug fixes, new features, or improvements

Career center

Learners who complete Java Fundamentals: Object-oriented Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Developer

Developers are responsible for planning and overseeing the creation of software, applications, and mobile apps. They often collaborate with other IT professionals, such as systems analysts, information security analysts, and computer hardware engineers. Taking this course will strengthen your understanding of the core concepts of object-oriented design. It will help you write effective, easy to modify, and maintainable codebase systems. These skills are essential for any Software Developer to produce quality products that meet the ever-changing demands of the tech industry.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for the design, construction, implementation, and testing of software systems for various clients. They work closely with Software Developers to make those software systems meet the specific needs of the user. The fundamentals you will learn in this course will help you ensure those software systems are not only scalable but easy to maintain. This is a key part of becoming a sought-after Software Engineer.

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Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analysts are responsible for analyzing, designing, and improving computer systems. They work with businesses to determine how they can best use computer systems to meet their business needs, and they work to implement the systems and train users on how to use them. Learning how to think in objects and how to structure code to be maintainable will greatly improve the quality of systems you design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers are responsible for translating designs and specifications into computer programs. They write high-quality code to meet business needs, and they also test programs to make sure they are working correctly. This course will help you become a more confident programmer by teaching you the fundamentals of object-oriented design. You will learn how to write modular, reusable code that is easy to maintain.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to draw conclusions and make predictions. They work with stakeholders to understand their business needs and to develop and implement data-driven solutions. The principles you will learn in this course will help you understand how to structure and organize your code. This will result in high-quality code that can be easily maintained and improved upon.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Web Developer

Web Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites and web applications. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and to develop solutions that meet those needs. This course will help you build a strong foundation in object-oriented design. You will learn how to write modular, reusable code that is easy to maintain. This will make you a more effective and efficient Web Developer.

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Mobile Application Developer

Mobile Application Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining mobile applications. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and to develop solutions that meet those needs. This course will teach you the fundamentals of object-oriented design. You will learn how to write modular, reusable code that is easy to maintain. This will make you a more effective and efficient Mobile Application Developer.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of database systems. They work with stakeholders to understand their business needs and to develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. The principles you will learn in this course will help you understand how to structure and organize your code. This will result in high-quality code that can be easily maintained and improved upon.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of information security systems. They work with stakeholders to understand their business needs and to develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course will teach you the fundamentals of object-oriented design. You will learn how to write modular, reusable code that is easy to maintain. This will make you a more effective and efficient Information Security Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Network Administrator

Network Administrators are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of computer networks. They work with stakeholders to understand their business needs and to develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course will teach you the fundamentals of object-oriented design. You will learn how to write modular, reusable code that is easy to maintain. This will make you a more effective and efficient Network Administrator.

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Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of computer systems. They work with stakeholders to understand their business needs and to develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course will teach you the fundamentals of object-oriented design. You will learn how to write modular, reusable code that is easy to maintain. This will make you a more effective and efficient Systems Administrator.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for writing documentation for computer systems, software, and other technical products. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and to develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course will teach you the fundamentals of object-oriented design. You will learn how to write modular, reusable code that is easy to maintain. This will make you a more effective and efficient Technical Writer.

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UI/UX Designer

UI/UX Designers are responsible for the design and implementation of user interfaces for websites and mobile applications. They work with stakeholders to understand their business needs and to develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful as it will teach you how to write high-quality code. As a UI/UX Designer, it is important to be able to understand and communicate with developers, and having a basic understanding of coding can be helpful.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing and improving business processes. They work with stakeholders to understand their business needs and to develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful as it will teach you how to think in objects. As a Business Analyst, it is important to be able to understand and communicate with stakeholders from all levels of the organization, including technical staff.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and to develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful as it will teach you how to manage complex projects. As a Project Manager, it is important to be able to understand and communicate with stakeholders from all levels of the organization, including technical staff.

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