Java Syntax

In the previous chapter, we created a Java file called Main.java, and we used the following code to print
"Hello World" to the screen:

Main.java

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {

System.out.println("Hello World");

Example explained

Every line of code that runs in Java must be inside a class. In our example, we named the class Main. A
class should always start with an uppercase first letter.

Note: Java is case-sensitive: "MyClass" and "myclass" has different meaning.

The name of the java file must match the class name. When saving the file, save it using the class name
and add ".java" to the end of the filename. To run the example above on your computer, make sure that
Java is properly installed: Go to the Get Started Chapter for how to install Java. The output should be:

Hello World

The main Method

The main() method is required and you will see it in every Java program:

public static void main(String[] args)

Any code inside the main() method will be executed. Don't worry about the keywords before and after
main. You will get to know them bit by bit while reading this tutorial.

For now, just remember that every Java program has a class name which must match the filename, and
that every program must contain the main() method.

System.out.println()

Inside the main() method, we can use the println() method to print a line of text to the screen:
public static void main(String[] args) {

System.out.println("Hello World");

Note: The curly braces {} marks the beginning and the end of a block of code.

System is a built-in Java class that contains useful members, such as out, which is short for "output".
The println() method, short for "print line", is used to print a value to the screen (or a file).

Don't worry too much about System, out and println(). Just know that you need them together to print
stuff to the screen.

You should also note that each code statement must end with a semicolon (;).

Java Output / Print

Print Text

You learned from the previous chapter that you can use the println() method to output values or print
text in Java:

ExampleGet your own Java Server

System.out.println("Hello World!");

You can add as many println() methods as you want. Note that it will add a new line for each method:

Example

System.out.println("Hello World!");

System.out.println("I am learning Java.");

System.out.println("It is awesome!");

Double Quotes

When you are working with text, it must be wrapped inside double quotations marks "".

If you forget the double quotes, an error occurs:

Example

System.out.println("This sentence will work!");

System.out.println(This sentence will produce an error);

The Print() Method

There is also a print() method, which is similar to println().

The only difference is that it does not insert a new line at the end of the output:

Example

System.out.print("Hello World! ");

System.out.print("I will print on the same line.");

Note that we add an extra space (after "Hello World!" in the example above), for better readability.

In this tutorial, we will only use println() as it makes it easier to read the output of code.

Java Output Numbers

Print Numbers

You can also use the println() method to print numbers.

However, unlike text, we don't put numbers inside double quotes:

ExampleGet your own Java Server

System.out.println(3);

System.out.println(358);

System.out.println(50000);

You can also perform mathematical calculations inside the println() method:

Example

System.out.println(3 + 3);

Example

System.out.println(2 * 5);
Java Comments

Java Comments

Comments can be used to explain Java code, and to make it more readable. It can also be used to
prevent execution when testing alternative code.

Single-line Comments

Single-line comments start with two forward slashes (//).

Any text between // and the end of the line is ignored by Java (will not be executed).

This example uses a single-line comment before a line of code:

ExampleGet your own Java Server

// This is a comment

System.out.println("Hello World");This example uses a single-line comment at the end of a line of code:

Example

System.out.println("Hello World"); // This is a comment

Java Multi-line Comments

Multi-line comments start with /* and ends with */.

Any text between /* and */ will be ignored by Java.

This example uses a multi-line comment (a comment block) to explain the code:

Example

/* The code below will print the words Hello World

to the screen, and it is amazing */

System.out.println("Hello World");

Java Variables
Java Variables

Variables are containers for storing data values.

In Java, there are different types of variables, for example:

 String - stores text, such as "Hello". String values are surrounded by double quotes

 int - stores integers (whole numbers), without decimals, such as 123 or -123

 float - stores floating point numbers, with decimals, such as 19.99 or -19.99

 char - stores single characters, such as 'a' or 'B'. Char values are surrounded by single quotes

 boolean - stores values with two states: true or false

Declaring (Creating) Variables

To create a variable, you must specify the type and assign it a value:

SyntaxGet your own Java Server

type variableName = value;

Where type is one of Java's types (such as int or String), and variableName is the name of the variable
(such as x or name). The equal sign is used to assign values to the variable.

To create a variable that should store text, look at the following example:

Example

Create a variable called name of type String and assign it the value "John":

String name = "John";

System.out.println(name);

To create a variable that should store a number, look at the following example:

Example

Create a variable called myNum of type int and assign it the value 15:

int myNum = 15;

System.out.println(myNum);
You can also declare a variable without assigning the value, and assign the value later:

Example

int myNum;

myNum = 15;

System.out.println(myNum);

Note that if you assign a new value to an existing variable, it will overwrite the previous value:

Example

Change the value of myNum from 15 to 20:

int myNum = 15;

myNum = 20; // myNum is now 20

System.out.println(myNum);

Final Variables

If you don't want others (or yourself) to overwrite existing values, use the final keyword (this will declare
the variable as "final" or "constant", which means unchangeable and read-only):

Example

final int myNum = 15;

myNum = 20; // will generate an error: cannot assign a value to a final variable

Other Types

A demonstration of how to declare variables of other types:

Example

int myNum = 5;

float myFloatNum = 5.99f;

char myLetter = 'D';

boolean myBool = true;

String myText = "Hello";

Java Print Variables

Display Variables

The println() method is often used to display variables.

To combine both text and a variable, use the + character:

ExampleGet your own Java Server

String name = "John";

System.out.println("Hello " + name);

You can also use the + character to add a variable to another variable:

Example

String firstName = "John ";

String lastName = "Doe";

String fullName = firstName + lastName;

System.out.println(fullName);

For numeric values, the + character works as a mathematical operator (notice that we use int (integer)
variables here):

Example

int x = 5;

int y = 6;

System.out.println(x + y); // Print the value of x + y

From the example above, you can expect:

 x stores the value 5

 y stores the value 6

 Then we use the println() method to display the value of x + y, which is 11

Java Declare Multiple Variables

Declare Many Variables

To declare more than one variable of the same type, you can use a comma-separated list:

ExampleGet your own Java Server

Instead of writing:

int x = 5;

int y = 6;

int z = 50;

System.out.println(x + y + z);

You can simply write:

int x = 5, y = 6, z = 50;

System.out.println(x + y + z);

One Value to Multiple Variables

You can also assign the same value to multiple variables in one line:

Example

int x, y, z;

x = y = z = 50;

System.out.println(x + y + z);

Java Identifiers
Identifiers

All Java variables must be identified with unique names.

These unique names are called identifiers.

Identifiers can be short names (like x and y) or more descriptive names (age, sum, totalVolume).

Note: It is recommended to use descriptive names in order to create understandable and maintainable
code:

ExampleGet your own Java Server

// Good

int minutesPerHour = 60;

// OK, but not so easy to understand what m actually is

int m = 60;

The general rules for naming variables are:

 Names can contain letters, digits, underscores, and dollar signs

 Names must begin with a letter

 Names should start with a lowercase letter and it cannot contain whitespace

 Names can also begin with $ and _ (but we will not use it in this tutorial)

 Names are case sensitive ("myVar" and "myvar" are different variables)

 Reserved words (like Java keywords, such as int or boolean) cannot be used as names

Java Data Types

Java Data Types

As explained in the previous chapter, a variable in Java must be a specified data type:

ExampleGet your own Java Server

int myNum = 5; // Integer (whole number)

float myFloatNum = 5.99f; // Floating point number

char myLetter = 'D'; // Character

boolean myBool = true; // Boolean

String myText = "Hello"; // String

Data types are divided into two groups:

Primitive data types - includes byte, short, int, long, float, double, boolean and char

Non-primitive data types - such as String, Arrays and Classes (you will learn more about these in a later
chapter)

Primitive Data Types

A primitive data type specifies the size and type of variable values, and it has no additional methods.

There are eight primitive data types in Java:

Data Type Size Description

byte 1 byte Stores whole numbers from -128 to 127

short 2 bytes Stores whole numbers from -32,768 to 32,767

int 4 bytes Stores whole numbers from -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647

long 8 bytes Stores whole numbers from -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807

float 4 bytes Stores fractional numbers. Sufficient for storing 6 to 7 decimal digits

double 8 bytes Stores fractional numbers. Sufficient for storing 15 decimal digits

boolean 1 bit Stores true or false values

char 2 bytes Stores a single character/letter or ASCII values

Java Numbers

Numbers

Primitive number types are divided into two groups:

Integer types stores whole numbers, positive or negative (such as 123 or -456), without decimals. Valid
types are byte, short, int and long. Which type you should use, depends on the numeric value.

Floating point types represents numbers with a fractional part, containing one or more decimals. There
are two types: float and double.

Even though there are many numeric types in Java, the most used for numbers are int (for whole
numbers) and double (for floating point numbers). However, we will describe them all as you continue
to read.

Integer Types

Byte

The byte data type can store whole numbers from -128 to 127. This can be used instead of int or other
integer types to save memory when you are certain that the value will be within -128 and 127:

ExampleGet your own Java Server

byte myNum = 100;

System.out.println(myNum);

Short

The short data type can store whole numbers from -32768 to 32767:

Example

short myNum = 5000;

System.out.println(myNum);

Int

The int data type can store whole numbers from -2147483648 to 2147483647. In general, and in our
tutorial, the int data type is the preferred data type when we create variables with a numeric value.

Example
int myNum = 100000;

System.out.println(myNum);

Try it Yourself »

Long

The long data type can store whole numbers from -9223372036854775808 to 9223372036854775807.
This is used when int is not large enough to store the value. Note that you should end the value with an
"L":

Example

long myNum = 15000000000L;

System.out.println(myNum);

Floating Point Types

You should use a floating point type whenever you need a number with a decimal, such as 9.99 or
3.14515.

The float and double data types can store fractional numbers. Note that you should end the value with
an "f" for floats and "d" for doubles:

Float Example

float myNum = 5.75f;

System.out.println(myNum);

Double Example

double myNum = 19.99d;

System.out.println(myNum);

Use float or double?

Java Boolean Data Types

Boolean Types

Very often in programming, you will need a data type that can only have one of two values, like:
  YES / NO

 ON / OFF

 TRUE / FALSE

For this, Java has a boolean data type, which can only take the values true or false:

ExampleGet your own Java Server

boolean isJavaFun = true;

boolean isFishTasty = false;

System.out.println(isJavaFun); // Outputs true

System.out.println(isFishTasty); // Outputs false

Boolean values are mostly used for conditional testing.

Java Characters

Characters

The char data type is used to store a single character. The character must be surrounded by single
quotes, like 'A' or 'c':

ExampleGet your own Java Server

char myGrade = 'B';

System.out.println(myGrade);

Alternatively, if you are familiar with ASCII values, you can use those to display certain characters:

Example

char myVar1 = 65, myVar2 = 66, myVar3 = 67;

System.out.println(myVar1);

System.out.println(myVar2);

System.out.println(myVar3);

Tip: A list of all ASCII values can be found in our ASCII Table Reference.
Strings

The String data type is used to store a sequence of characters (text). String values must be surrounded
by double quotes:

Example

String greeting = "Hello World";

System.out.println(greeting);

The String type is so much used and integrated in Java, that some call it "the special ninth type".

A String in Java is actually a non-primitive data type, because it refers to an object. The String object has
methods that are used to perform certain operations on strings. Don't worry if you don't understand
the term "object" just yet.

Java Non-Primitive Data Types

Non-Primitive Data Types

Non-primitive data types are called reference types because they refer to objects.

The main difference between primitive and non-primitive data types are:

 Primitive types are predefined (already defined) in Java. Non-primitive types are created by the
programmer and is not defined by Java (except for String).

 Non-primitive types can be used to call methods to perform certain operations, while primitive
types cannot.

 A primitive type has always a value, while non-primitive types can be null.

 A primitive type starts with a lowercase letter, while non-primitive types starts with an
uppercase letter.

Examples of non-primitive types are Strings, Arrays, Classes, Interface, etc

Java Type Casting

Type casting is when you assign a value of one primitive data type to another type.

In Java, there are two types of casting:

 Widening Casting (automatically) - converting a smaller type to a larger type size

byte -> short -> char -> int -> long -> float -> double
  Narrowing Casting (manually) - converting a larger type to a smaller size type
double -> float -> long -> int -> char -> short -> byte

Widening Casting

Widening casting is done automatically when passing a smaller size type to a larger size type:

ExampleGet your own Java Server

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {

int myInt = 9;

double myDouble = myInt; // Automatic casting: int to double

System.out.println(myInt); // Outputs 9

System.out.println(myDouble); // Outputs 9.0

Narrowing Casting

Narrowing casting must be done manually by placing the type in parentheses in front of the value:

Example

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {

double myDouble = 9.78d;

int myInt = (int) myDouble; // Manual casting: double to int

System.out.println(myDouble); // Outputs 9.78

System.out.println(myInt); // Outputs 9
 }

Java Operators

Java Operators

Operators are used to perform operations on variables and values.

In the example below, we use the + operator to add together two values:

ExampleGet your own Java Server

int x = 100 + 50;

Although the + operator is often used to add together two values, like in the example above, it can also
be used to add together a variable and a value, or a variable and another variable:

Example

int sum1 = 100 + 50; // 150 (100 + 50)

int sum2 = sum1 + 250; // 400 (150 + 250)

int sum3 = sum2 + sum2; // 800 (400 + 400)

Java divides the operators into the following groups:

Arithmetic operators

Assignment operators

Comparison operators

Logical operators

Bitwise operators
Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators are used to perform common mathematical operations.

Operator Name Description Example Try it

+ Addition Adds together two values x+y

- Subtraction Subtracts one value from another x-y

* Multiplication Multiplies two values x*y

/ DivisionDivides one value by another x/y

% Modulus Returns the division remainder x % y

++ Increment Increases the value of a variable by 1 ++x

-- Decrement Decreases the value of a variable by 1 --x

Java Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are used to assign values to variables.

In the example below, we use the assignment operator (=) to assign the value 10 to a variable called x:

Example

int x = 10;

The addition assignment operator (+=) adds a value to a variable:

Example

int x = 10;

x += 5;
A list of all assignment operators:

Operator Example Same As Try it

= x=5 x=5

+= x += 3 x = x + 3

-= x -= 3 x=x-3

*= x *= 3 x = x * 3

/= x /= 3 x = x / 3

%= x %= 3 x = x % 3

&= x &= 3 x = x & 3

|= x |= 3 x = x | 3

^= x ^= 3 x = x ^ 3

>>= x >>= 3 x = x >> 3

<<= x <<= 3 x = x << 3

Java Comparison Operators

Comparison operators are used to compare two values (or variables). This is important in programming,
because it helps us to find answers and make decisions.

The return value of a comparison is either true or false. These values are known as Boolean values, and
you will learn more about them in the Booleans and If..Else chapter.

In the following example, we use the greater than operator (>) to find out if 5 is greater than 3:

Example

int x = 5;
int y = 3;

System.out.println(x > y); // returns true, because 5 is higher than 3

Operator Name Example Try it

== Equal to x == y

!= Not equal x != y

> Greater than x>y

< Less than x<y

>= Greater than or equal to x >= y

<= Less than or equal to x <= y

Java Logical Operators

You can also test for true or false values with logical operators.

Logical operators are used to determine the logic between variables or values:

Operator Name Description Example Try it

&& Logical and Returns true if both statements are truex < 5 && x < 10

|| Logical or Returns true if one of the statements is true x < 5 || x < 4

! Logical not Reverse the result, returns false if the result is true !(x < 5 && x < 10)