Vocabulary Terms

Boolean expression

evaluates to either true or false

camelCase

One way to create a variable name by appending several words together and uppercasing the first letter of each word after the first word (myScore).

Compile time error

An error that is found during the compilation. These are also called syntax errors.

Compiler

Software that translates the Java source code (ends in .java) into the Java class file (ends in .class).

double data type

A type in Java that is used to represent decimal values like -2.5 and 323.203.

final keyword

means that a variable may not have its value changed once initialized.

int data type

used to declare a variable of type integer (a whole number like -3 or 235).

Integer

A whole number like -32 or 6323.

main method

Where execution starts in a Java program.

Operator

Common mathematical symbols such as + for addition and * for multiplication.

Random number

A random number picked from a range of numbers. Used in games to make the game more interesting.

remainder operator

The % operator which returns the remainder from one number divide by another.

Shortcut operator

Operators like x++ which means x = x + 1 or x *=y which means x = x * y.

static keyword

means that the field or method exists in the object that defines the class.

Type casting

Changing the type of a variable using (type) name.

Variable

A name associated with a memory location in the computer.

Variable declaration

Specifying the type and name for a variable. This sets aside memory for a variable of that type and associates the name with that memory location.

Variable initialization

The first time you set the value of a variable.

Primitive Types