Gain insights into Java, a versatile and portable programming language. Delve into similarities with C++ and Python and learn essential Java-specific features with practical coding examples.

Looking to jump into a new programming language? Java is an easy-to-use, highly portable and ubiquitous language that is used for a variety of development purposes such as Android applications,  desktop applications, and website backend systems. Designed for programmers who are already familiar with coding in languages such as C++, Python, or other similar languages, this course articulates any Java-specific details that programmers need to know to get acquainted with the language and also highlights similarities and differences between Java and other languages through multiple coding examples.

The Complete Java Crash Course

Computing values in Java works much like you'd expect from most other languages:

class ExpressionOperand {
	public static void main(String args[]) {
    int x;
    x = (3 * 6) + 24;
    System.out.println(x);
  }
}

There are two things to be aware of:

1) Like in C or C++, but unlike Javascript or Python3, division of two integers yields an integer. 

2) Operators given two different types (like `2 + 1.7`) promote, or automatically convert, the more limited type. `2` will be converted to the floating point `2.0`, and the resulting value will be a floating point that must be stored in a variable of type `float` or `double`.

## Integer and floating point division

There are two types of division, and each is sometimes useful. **Integer division** takes two *integers* and evaluates to an integer. **Floating-point** division takes two *floating-point numbers* (numbers with a decimal point) and evaluates to a floating-point
number.  

Let's say I have 18 cents and 5 nieces.  How much money should I give to each?  With floating point division, 18/5 = 3.6, but it's hard to distribute .6 cents in cash, and my nieces prefer hard currency.  Integer division would give the value 3.  If both operands of `/` are integers, Java uses integer division.  If either operand is a floating point value, then Java uses floating point division.

You can ensure floating point division by adding a decimal point and a zero:

# Integer and floating point division

There are two types of division, and each is sometimes useful. **Integer division** takes two *integers* and evaluates to an integer. **Floating-point** division takes two *floating-point numbers* (numbers with a decimal point) and evaluates to a floating-point
number.  

Let's say I have 18 cents and 5 nieces.  How much money should I give to each?  With floating point division, 18/5 = 3.6, but it's hard to distribute .6 cents in cash, and my nieces prefer hard currency.  Integer division would give the value 3.  If both operands of `/` are integers, Java uses integer division.  If either operand is a floating point value, then Java uses floating point division.

You can ensure floating point division by adding a decimal point and a zero:

Learn how to compute expressions in Java, and how to convert between different types of data using casting. Be careful of the difference between integer and floating-point division!

Hello, Java!

Variables and expressions

Flow of control: loops and conditionals

Classes, objects, and methods

Challenge project: tetrominos

Arithmetic expressions and operators