Introduction
Class Definition
Data Fields
Methods
Constructors
Instantiation
  Demo 1
  Demo 2
Static Members
  Demo 3
Value&Reference
  Demo 4
Overloading
   Demo 5
Wrappers 
  Demo 6
Autobox/Unbox
   Demo 7
Arrays
  Demo 8
Exceptions
Exercises

As you begin to program with an object oriented language like Java, the various concepts can all seem rather vague but then they start to coalese and suddenly classes and objects all make sense. In the meantime, we can try to get across the ideas with analoges and examples.

We can first present some metaphorical analogies to class definitions and objects:

• Molds and Pots: the class is the mold and the objects are the clay jars formed by the mold.
  
  
• Templates and Plates: the class is the template and the objects are the forms cut according to the template.
  
  
• Stampers and labels: the class is the ink stamper and the objects are the labels on the papers.

(Note that we use the terms object and instance interchangably.)

In the next section, we look at the more concrete analogy of class/objects to types/data such as integer and floating point types.

In the Chapter 3: Tech section, we create a complex number class and a histogram class.

References & Web Resources

• Matt Weisfeld offers this multi-art series on OOP at Developer.com:
  • The Object-Oriented Thought Process
  • Moving from Procedural to Object-Oriented Development
  • The Object-Oriented Thought Process
  • Thinking in Objects
  • Furthering the Object-Oriented Mindset
  • Exploring Encapsulation
  • Hiding Data within Object-Oriented Programming
  • Protecting Data through Object Oriented Programming
  • Putting an Object in a Safe State
  • The Components of a Class
  • The Evolution of Object-Oriented Languages
  • Object Responsibility
  • Object Construction
  • Inside Constructors
  • Encapsulation vs. Inheritance
  • Packaging Objects to Preserve Encapsulation
  • Object Signatures
• Object-Oriented Computing - What's the Big Deal? - First Step Communications
• The Essence of OOP Using Java, Objects, and Encapsulation by Richard G. Baldwin - Developer.com

Latest update: Dec.13.2003

           Tech
OOP in Tech Apps
Complex Number
Histogram Class
  Demo
More Wrappers

           Physics
OOP in Physics
Particle Class
Root Finding
  Demo 1
Newton Methods
  Demo 2
Exercises