Inheritance and Data Structures in Java from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1 : Inheritance, Polymorphism Using Overriding, & Access Modifiers

We’ll start this module by talking about inheritance, a core concept in object-oriented programming. It’s the mechanism by which one class inherits the fields and methods of another class. Then we’ll learn about another aspect of polymorphism, overriding, which is creating a method in a subclass having the same signature as a method in a superclass. In particular, we’ll look at overriding the toString method for printing your objects and the equals method for comparing your objects, especially as it relates to unit testing. Finally, how you can restrict scope in a program by using modifiers to control access to variables, methods, and classes.

Module 2 : Abstract Classes & Debugging

Did you know you can declare a method without defining it? It’s like giving a method a name, and even parameters and a return type, with no code in the body. These are called abstract methods. To define abstract methods, we’ll learn how to create abstract classes. With these new concepts and structures, we’ll continue to expand our Java knowledge and develop our programming skills. We’ll also learn how to better debug our programs by running them interactively using Eclipse’s Debugger. This will allow us to watch the source code and the variables, during execution.

Module 3 : File I/O & Exceptions

There are multiple ways of loading and storing data in Java. Information can be stored and manipulated in different kinds of data structures. But data can also be stored in external files and then loaded into Java. In this module, we'll see how Java can communicate with the outside world by opening, reading from, and writing to, external files. This means of communication known as I/O or input/output, is extremely powerful with an overwhelming number of options. Any given I/O is not particularly difficult, but the difficulty lies in finding your way through the maze of possibilities. This module will help guide you through some of the different ways you can interact with external files. In addition, it will demonstrate methods you can use to handle errors and exceptions that may arise in your Java programs. In particular, when you're dealing with files.

Module 4 : Collections, Maps, & Regular Expressions

In this module, we're going to look at some advanced techniques for storing and manipulating data in collections, which are structured groups of objects. Specifically, we'll learn how to leverage Java's collections framework, which is a unified architecture for representing and manipulating different kinds of collections. We already have experience working with one type of collection in particular, and that's the ArrayList. We'll also learn how to leverage maps, which are dictionaries that associate keys with values. This module will also provide an overview of some advanced techniques for parsing text. In particular, we'll learn how to use regular expressions or regex, which are special sequences of characters that describe patterns used for searching, editing, and manipulating text and data.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines key concepts for object-oriented programming, such as inheritance and polymorphism

Explores file input and output, a fundamental aspect of data management in Java

Introduces debugging tools and techniques, facilitating error detection and resolution

Involves hands-on practice through interactive materials and labs, promoting active learning

Suitable for intermediate learners seeking to strengthen their foundational knowledge of Java programming concepts

Reviews summary

Java inheritance and data structures

Learners say that Inheritance and Data Structures in Java is a solid introduction to object-oriented programming and Java. It's well-suited for those with no programming experience and is the final course in a 4-course specialization. The instructor is knowledgeable and the curriculum is well-structured. However, some learners have found that the difficulty level is high for beginners and that assignments are challenging.

Well-structured and clear

"The curriculum follows a clear structure"

Challenging but rewarding

"The assignments are really challenging but interesting."

"Perfect implementation of more practical work than theoretical."

Knowledgeable and helpful

"excellent instructor, wonderful introduction to object oriented programming and Java"

"The instructor is on the spot"

Lacking in forums

"a total ghost town"

Not quality tested

"the code is not quality tested resulting in frustrating learning experience"

Can be difficult for beginners

"This course is not for beginners."

"But I think, this course is not for beginners."

"Difficulty level is a bit high for a newbie."

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 Inheritance and Data Structures in Java with these activities:

Review Java syntax and basics

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Ensure a solid understanding of Java fundamentals.

Browse courses on Java Basics

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Go over your notes or textbooks on Java syntax.
Complete some practice exercises or online quizzes to test your knowledge.

Review OOP concepts before starting the course

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Strengthen your foundation by refreshing OOP concepts.

Browse courses on Object-Oriented Programming

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Review materials on OOP principles, such as classes, objects, and inheritance.
Consider taking a refresher course or watching online tutorials on OOP.

Follow a tutorial on Java inheritance

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Deepen your understanding of Java inheritance by following a tutorial.

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Find a comprehensive tutorial on Java inheritance.
Follow the tutorial step-by-step, practicing the concepts as you go.
Try implementing inheritance in your own Java code.

Four other activities

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Practice Java inheritance exercises

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Reinforce your understanding of Java inheritance through practice.

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Find online exercises or practice problems on Java inheritance.
Attempt to solve the exercises on your own.
Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Discuss Java inheritance with a study group

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Gain diverse perspectives and reinforce your understanding through peer discussion.

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Form a study group with classmates or fellow learners.
Choose a specific topic related to Java inheritance to discuss.
Share your own understanding and listen to the insights of others.

Organize and review course materials

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Stay organized and gain a comprehensive view of the course content.

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Gather all course materials, including notes, assignments, and quizzes.
Review the materials to identify key concepts and areas that need further attention.

Create a diagram of Java inheritance relationships

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Solidify your understanding of Java inheritance by creating a visual representation.

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Choose a Java project or scenario that involves inheritance.
Identify the classes and their inheritance relationships.
Create a diagram that visually represents these relationships.

Career center

Learners who complete Inheritance and Data Structures in Java will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Web Developer

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Database Administrator

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Applications Developer

As an Applications Developer, you'll create and maintain computer applications. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Java for developing and managing applications.

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Systems Analyst

As a Systems Analyst, you'll design, develop, and implement computer systems. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Java programming and understanding essential data structures for developing system solutions.

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Data Scientist

As a Data Scientist, you'll collect, process, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. This course may be useful for getting started with Java programming, essential data structures, and regular expressions.

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Machine Learning Engineer

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Information Technology Manager

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Computer Programmer

As a Computer Programmer, you'll write and test code that makes computers perform specific tasks. This course may be useful for you if you wish to build a foundation in Java programming for developing software applications.

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Computer Systems Analyst

As a Computer Systems Analyst, you'll analyze user needs, design and develop computer systems, and test and maintain computer systems. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Java programming and essential data structures for developing and managing computer systems.

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Software Test Engineer

As a Software Test Engineer, you'll test and evaluate software applications to ensure they meet requirements. This course may be useful for building a foundation in Java programming for developing and testing software applications.

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Software Engineer

As a Software Engineer, you'll analyze user needs, design and develop software solutions, and test and maintain software systems. This course may be useful for you if you wish to build a foundation in essential Java programming concepts.

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Data Analyst

As a Data Analyst, you'll collect, process, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. This course may be useful for getting started with Java programming and understanding common data structures.

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Technical Writer

As a Technical Writer, you'll create documentation for technical products and services. This course may be useful for getting started with Java programming and understanding common data structures for developing technical documentation.

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Business Analyst

As a Business Analyst, you'll analyze business needs and develop solutions to improve business processes. This course may be useful for getting started with Java programming and understanding common data structures.

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Software Developer

As a Software Developer, you’ll design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain software applications. Specifically, this course helps Software Developers build a foundation in Java programming and essential data structures.

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