Lecture Notes: Defining a Class in Java, Adding Variables
and Methods, Creating Objects, and Accessing Class
Members
1. Defining a Class in Java
A class in Java is a blueprint for creating objects. It defines properties (variables) and behaviors
(methods) that the objects created from the class will have.
Syntax for Defining a Class
class ClassName {
// Variables (fields)
// Methods
}
class: Keyword to declare a class.
ClassName: Name of the class, following Java naming conventions (e.g., PascalCase).
The class body is enclosed in curly braces {} .
Example
class Car {
// Class body
}
2. Adding Variables (Fields)
Variables defined inside a class are called fields. They represent the state or properties of objects
created from the class.
Syntax for Declaring Fields
accessModifier dataType variableName;
accessModifier: Controls visibility (e.g., public , private , protected ).
dataType: Type of data (e.g., int , String , double ).
variableName: Name of the variable (e.g., camelCase).
Example
class Car {
// Fields
public String brand;
private int speed;
private double price;
}
brand : A public field to store the car's brand.
speed : A private field to store the car's speed.
price : A private field to store the car's price.
3. Adding Methods
Methods define the behavior of the class. They can manipulate fields or perform actions.
Syntax for Declaring Methods
accessModifier returnType methodName(parameters) {
// Method body
}
returnType: Data type of the value returned (use void if nothing is returned).
methodName: Name of the method (e.g., camelCase).
parameters: Input values (optional).
Example
class Car {
public String brand;
private int speed;
private double price;
// Method to set speed
public void setSpeed(int newSpeed) {
if (newSpeed >= 0) {
speed = newSpeed;
}
}
// Method to get speed
public int getSpeed() {
return speed;
}
// Method to display car details
public void displayDetails() {
System.out.println("Brand: " + brand + ", Speed: " + speed + ", Price: $" + pric
e);
}
}
setSpeed : Sets the value of the private speed field.
getSpeed : Returns the value of the private speed field.
displayDetails : Prints the car's details.
4. Creating Objects
Objects are instances of a class. You create an object using the new keyword.
Syntax for Creating an Object
ClassName objectName = new ClassName();
Example
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Creating an object of the Car class
Car myCar = new Car();
}
}
myCar is an object of the Car class.
The new keyword allocates memory for the object and calls the class's constructor.
5. Accessing Class Members
Class members (fields and methods) are accessed using the dot operator ( . ).
Accessing Fields
objectName.fieldName; // To read or modify
Calling Methods
objectName.methodName(arguments);
Example
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Creating an object
Car myCar = new Car();
// Accessing fields
myCar.brand = "Toyota"; // Setting the public field
// Calling methods
myCar.setSpeed(120); // Setting speed using a method
myCar.displayDetails(); // Calling method to display details
}
}
Output
Brand: Toyota, Speed: 120, Price: $0.0
myCar.brand = "Toyota" : Sets the brand field.
myCar.setSpeed(120) : Calls the setSpeed method to set the speed field.
myCar.displayDetails() : Calls the displayDetails method to print the car's details.
6. Complete Example
Below is a complete program demonstrating a class, fields, methods, object creation, and member
access.
class Car {
// Fields
public String brand;
private int speed;
private double price;
// Constructor
public Car(String brand, int speed, double price) {
this.brand = brand;
this.speed = speed;
this.price = price;
}
// Methods
public void setSpeed(int newSpeed) {
if (newSpeed >= 0) {
speed = newSpeed;
}
}
public int getSpeed() {
return speed;
}
public void displayDetails() {
System.out.println("Brand: " + brand + ", Speed: " + speed + ", Price: $" + pric
e);
}
}
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Creating objects
Car car1 = new Car("Toyota", 120, 25000.0);
Car car2 = new Car("Honda", 100, 22000.0);
// Accessing fields and methods
car1.displayDetails();
car2.setSpeed(150);
car2.displayDetails();
}
}
Output
Brand: Toyota, Speed: 120, Price: $25000.0
Brand: Honda, Speed: 150, Price: $22000.0
Key Points
Encapsulation: Use private fields and public methods (getters/setters) to control access to
data.
Constructors: Special methods used to initialize objects (e.g., Car(String brand, int speed,
double price) ).
Access Modifiers:
public : Accessible from everywhere.
private : Accessible only within the class.
this Keyword: Refers to the current object, used to distinguish between instance variables and
parameters.
