Robotics Learning Java Class Web Pages

www.RoboticsLearning.com/java

This page is for students enrolled in the Java programming classes taught by Steve Putz and Robotics Learning. If you have questions, email info@RoboticsLearning.com or phone 408-910-1176.

Java Programming for Beginners
Kennedy Middle School
June 21 - July 16, 2010

Java Greenfoot Games and Simulations
Kennedy Middle School
June 21 - July 16, 2010

Java Programming for Beginners
Kennedy Middle School, June 21 - July 16, 2010 (room 14)

Class Materials (password required)

Class Description:

This class is a beginner's introduction to Java programming. Programming concepts and techniques are introduced and practiced through a series of fun programming examples. Topics include: using variables, creating applets, simple graphics, defining new object classes, interactive applets with buttons, animation, and simple interactive games. Class sessions include time to work on the programs with help from the instructor. Some homework time may be required to complete the lessons. Students should have a USB flash drive to take their class work home. The software and lessons can also be downloaded for use at home. Software can be downloaded from the Class Materials link above.

If you are enrolled in this class, the instructor will give you a login and password at the first class, for accessing the Class Materials web page. Or email info@RoboticsLearning.com to get a login and password (include the student name and phone number in your request).
Each student should bring a USB flash drive to class for keeping copies of their programs.

Java Greenfoot Games and Simulations
Kennedy Middle School, June 21 - July 16, 2010 (room 14)

Class Materials (password required)

Class Description:

This class is an introduction to programming games and simulations using the Greenfoot Java programming framework. Some prior programming experience is recommended. Greenfoot provides a framework for easily programming interactive 2-D simulations and games based on a World and Actor model. Programming concepts and techniques are introduced and practiced through a series of fun programming examples such as creating animal and physics simulations and simple interactive games. Students will use the Java programming language to define objects, variables and methods for implementing their simulations and games. Class sessions include time to work on the programs with help from the instructor. Some homework time may be required to complete the lessons. Students should have a USB flash drive to take their class work home. The software and lessons can also be downloaded for use at home. Software can be downloaded from the Class Materials link above.

If you are enrolled in this class, the instructor will give you a login and password at the first class, for accessing the Class Materials web page. Or email info@RoboticsLearning.com to get a login and password (include the student name and phone number in your request).
Each student should bring a USB flash drive to class for keeping copies of their programs.

(April 2010 Java Greenfoot Class Notes)
(March 2010 Java for Kids Class Notes)
(February 2010 Java for Kids Class Notes)
(April 2009 Java for Kids Class Notes)
(February 2009 Java for Kids Class Notes)
(October 2008 Java for Kids Class Notes)
(February 2008 Java for Kids Class Notes)
(Fall 2006 Beginning Java Class Notes)
(March 2006 Intermediate Java Class Notes)

General Java Resources

For Beginning level Java classes, I will be using the BlueJ interactive Java environment. BlueJ can be downloaded from:

www.bluej.org

For Intermediate level classes I will be using Greenfoot, which can be downloaded from:

www.greenfoot.org

To use BlueJ (or Greenfoot or NetBeans), you need to have the Java SE SDK on your computer. It should not matter which version you have for the beginning Java class (but I recommend version 6). Apple computers running MacOS X or later already have a Java SDK installed. On Windows (XP, 2000, Vista), you should install the Software Development Kit (labeled SDK or JDK), not the runtime environment (JRE), not the Enterprise Edition. And I normally recommend not using a beta version. See:

JDK 6
JDK 5

Java Notes by Fred Swartz

Nicely organized notes on many aspects of Java programming.

The Java Tutorial

This is an excellent collection of web pages providing tutorials and reference material for leaving Java. It can be browsed online or a copy can be downloaded to your computer.
Just a few of the most useful sections include:

Java API Documentation (for JDK 6)

These web pages document the standard Java class packages for Java 6.
You can browse the Java documentation on the internet, or download a local copy onto your computer.
The original Java documentation is available from http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/

(look for the "Download this documentation" button at the top, then the "Java SE 6 Documentation" section)
After downloading the file "jdk-6-doc.zip" to your computer:

if you are using NetBeans, use the "Javadoc Manager" tool to mount this documentation for use in NetBeans (no need to unzip).
or unzip the contents to a folder on your computer and view the top level "index.html" file with your web browser.
if you are using BlueJ, use the Tools>Preferences menu to set the JDK documentation URL to the index file on your computer.

This documentation is also available in a very convenient searchable Windows Help File and HTML Help versions.

You can download these versions from http://www.allimant.org/javadoc/index.php

Some useful Java API documentation sections include:

java.lang
java.io
java.awt (includes the Graphics class)

Objects First with Java

A Practical Introduction using BlueJ

Introduction to Programming with Greenfoot

Object-Oriented Programming in Java with Games and Simulations

Java Programming for Kids, Parents and Grandparents

This is an electronic book for teaching Java to kids.