Many aspiring developers believe that learning the Java programming language is essential. It’s both powerful and versatile. Understanding the fundamental syllabus is critical, regardless of your Java experience. This guide serves as a road map for your learning, outlining the key concepts and topics covered in the core Java syllabus.
What is Core Java?
The term “Core Java” refers to the essential libraries and components of the Java programming language, with an emphasis on object-oriented programming concepts. It consists of basic linguistic elements devoid of sophisticated features. Core Java serves as the foundation for the development of more specialized Java applications.
Core Java Syllabus
Introduction to Java:
- Overview of Java programming language.
- History and evolution of Java.
- Features and advantages of Java.
Java Development Environment:
- Installation of Java Development Kit (JDK).
- Setting up Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA.
Basic Syntax:
- Structure of a Java program.
- Data types, variables, and constants.
- Comments and documentation.
Control Statements:
- Conditional statements (if, else, if, else).
- Switch-case statements.
- Looping statements (for, while, do-while).
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP):
- Concepts of objects and classes.
- Inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and abstraction.
- Constructors and destructors.
Exception Handling:
- Understanding exceptions and errors.
- Try-catch blocks.
- Custom exception handling.
File Handling:
- Reading and writing to files.
- Working with input and output streams.
Collections Framework:
- Overview of collections (List, Set, Map).
- Iterators and Enumerations.
- ArrayList, LinkedList, HashMap, etc.
Multithreading:
- Introduction to threads.
- Synchronization and coordination.
- Thread safety and deadlock.
Introduction to Java API:
- Working with Java standard libraries.
- Utilizing predefined classes and methods.
Applets and Swing:
- Basics of GUI programming with AWT and Swing.
- Designing and implementing graphical interfaces.
Networking:
- Basics of networking in Java.
- Socket programming.
Database Connectivity (JDBC):
- Connecting to databases.
- Executing SQL queries.
Introduction to JavaFX:
- Basics of JavaFX for modern UI development.
Unit Testing:
- Introduction to JUnit for testing Java applications.
Introduction to Maven and Ant:
- Overview of building automation tools.
Basic Design Patterns:
- Understanding common design patterns in Java.
Module 1: Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)
1.1 Overview of JDBC
- JDBC architecture
- JDBC drivers
1.2 Connecting to Databases
- Establishing database connections
- Connection pooling
1.3 Executing SQL Queries
- PreparedStatement and CallableStatement
- Batch processing
Module 2: Java Servlets
2.1 Introduction to Servlets
- Servlet life cycle
- Servlet containers
2.2 Servlet Configurations and Parameters
- Initialization parameters
- Context parameters
2.3 Handling Form Data
- GET and POST methods
- HTML forms and servlets
Module 3: JavaServer Pages (JSP)
3.1 Introduction to JSP
- JSP life cycle
- JSP expressions and declarations
3.2 Directives and Actions
- Page directives
- JSP actions and implicit objects
3.3 JSP Tag Libraries
- Standard and Custom Tag Libraries
- Expression Language (EL)
Module 4: Model-View-Controller (MVC) Architecture
4.1 MVC Design Pattern
- Separation of concerns
- Implementing MVC in Java web applications
Module 5: Session Management
5.1 HttpSession and Cookies
- Managing user sessions
- Cookie handling
Module 6: JavaServer Faces (JSF)
6.1 Introduction to JSF
- JSF architecture
- Managed beans and navigation
Module 7: Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB)
7.1 Introduction to EJB
- Session beans, entity beans, and message-driven beans
- EJB containers
Module 8: Spring Framework
8.1 Introduction to Spring
- Dependency injection (DI) and the inversion of control (IoC)
- Spring AOP (Aspect-Oriented Programming)
8.2 Spring MVC
- Configuring Spring MVC
- Handling web requests
Module 9: Hibernate
9.1 Introduction to Hibernate
- Object-Relational Mapping (ORM)
- Hibernate architecture
9.2 Mapping in Hibernate
- Mapping Java classes to database tables
- HQL (Hibernate Query Language)
Module 10: RESTful Web Services
10.1 Introduction to REST
- Principles of RESTful architecture
- Building RESTful services in Java
Module 11: Java Message Service (JMS)
11.1 Overview of JMS
- Publish/subscribe and point-to-point models
- JMS API and messaging domains
Module 12: Java Authentication and Authorization Service (JAAS)
12.1 Security in Java
- Introduction to JAAS
- Authentication and authorization in Java applications
Module 13: Design Patterns in Java
13.1 Common Design Patterns
- Singleton, Factory, Observer, Decorator, etc.
- Applying design patterns in Java applications
Module 14: Introduction to Microservices
14.1 Microservices Architecture
- Characteristics of Microservices
- Implementing microservices in Java
Difference Between Core Java and Advanced Java
| Feature | Core Java | Advanced Java |
| Scope | Covers fundamental Java concepts and basics. | Extends beyond basics to advanced Java technologies. |
| Focus | Emphasis on standalone applications. | Focuses on enterprise-level and web-based applications. |
| Usage | Suitable for general-purpose programming. | Used for specialized applications and services. |
| Topics | Includes basics, OOP, exceptions, and threading. | Involves advanced topics like JSP, Servlets, and JDBC. |
| Web Development | Limited or no focus on web development. | Integral for web development using frameworks. |
| Technologies | Primarily uses Java Standard Edition (SE). | Utilizes Java Enterprise Edition (EE) technologies. |
| Database Connectivity | Basic database connectivity with JDBC. | Advanced database connectivity with ORM tools. |
| Libraries/Frameworks | Relies on standard Java libraries. | Involves advanced frameworks like Spring and Hibernate. |
| Concurrency | Basic thread handling and synchronization. | Advanced concurrency features and tools. |
| Deployment | Typically standalone application deployment. | Web app deployment involves the use of application servers. |
| Example Projects | Console applications, basic utilities. | Web applications, enterprise-level systems. |
FAQ of Core Java Syllabus
Q1. What prerequisites must one meet to learn Java?
A. Basic concepts such as variables, data types, and control structures are necessary to learn Java.
Q2. Can someone who has never programmed learn Java?
A. Indeed, you can learn Java even if you’ve never programmed before. Java is a very simple language that is ideal for beginners to learn.
Q3. How much time does it take to learn Java well?
A. Learning Java can take longer than six months, and mastery requires perseverance and dedication.