Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers, Programs, and Java

Motherboard

a circuit case that connects all of the parts of a computer together

Network Interface Card (NIC)

a device that connects a computer to a local area network (LAN). Commonly used in universities, businesses, and government agencies. can transfer data at 1,000 million bits per second (mbps)

Block

a pair of curly braces containing statements

Java Virtual Machine (JVM)

a program that interprets Java bytecode

Class Loader

a program that the JVM first loads the bytecode of the class to memory. If your program uses other classes, they are dynamically loaded just before they are needed

Source Program

a program written in a high-level language, also known as source code

Source Code

a program written in a high-level language, also known as source program

Machine Language

a set of built-in primitive instructions

Java Language Specification

a technical definition of the Java programming language's syntax and semantics

Modem

a type of communication device

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

an integrated development environment for rapidly developing programs. editing, compiling, building, debugging, and online help are integrated in one graphical user interface

Bytecode Verifier

checks the validity of the bytecode and to ensure that the bytecode does not violate Java's security restrictions

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

computer's brain, retrieves instructions from memory and executes them

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

connection that uses standard phone line, but it can transfer data 20 times faster than standard dial-up modem

Bus

connects a computer's components that are built into the motherboard

Memory

consists of an ordered sequence of bytes for storing programs as well as data that the program is working with

Library

contains predefined classes and interfaces for developing Java programs, also known as Application Program Interface (API)

Application Program Interface (API)

contains predefined classes and interfaces for developing Java programs, also known as library

Programming

create (or develop) software

Bit

digits in the binary number system

Syntax Error

errors that are detected by the compiler, also known as compile error

Runtime Error

errors that cause a program to terminate abnormally

Java Command

executes Java code

Keyword/ Reserved Word

have specific meaning to the compiler and cannot be used for other purposes in the program

Block Comment

help programmers to communicate and understand the program. Ignored by the compiler. Indicated by /**/

Line Comment

help programmers to communicate and understand the program. Ignored by the compiler. Indicated by //

Comment

help programmers to communicate and understand the program. Ignored by the compiler. Indicated by // or /* */

Statement

instructions in a high-level programming language

Byte

minimum storage unit in a computer, composing of 8 bits

Logic Error

occurs when a program does not perform the way it was intended to

Console

old computer term that refers to the text entry and display device of a computer

Storage Devices

permanent storage for programs and data

High-Level Language

platform independent, which means that you can write a program in a high-level language and run it in different types of machines.

Software

provides the invisible instructions that control the hardware and make it perform specific tasks, also known as a program

Program

provides the invisible instructions that control the hardware and make it perform specific tasks, also known as software

Interpreter

reads one statement from the source code, translates it to the machine or virtual machine code, and then executes it right away

Statement Terminator

semicolon (;) that indicates the end of a statement

Encoding Scheme

set of rules that govern how a computer translates characters, numbers, and symbols into data the computer can actually work with

Pixel

short for picture elements, are tiny dots that form an image on the screen

Bytecode

similar to machine instructions but is architecture neutral and can run on any platform that has a Java Virtual Machine (JVM)

Screen Resolution

specifies the number of pixels in horizontal and vertical dimensions of the display device

Dot Pitch

the amount of space between pixels, measured in millimeters

Main Method

the entry point where the program begins execution

Operating System (OS)

the most important program that runs on a computer. manages and controls a computer's activites

Java Development Toolkit (JDK)

the software for developing and running Java programs

Hardware

the visible, physical elements of the computer

Compiler

translates the entire c=source code into a machine-code file, and the machine-code is then executed

Javac Command

used to compile Java code

Assembler

used to translate assembly-language programs into machine code

Assembly Language

uses a short descriptive word to represent each of the machine-language instructions

Low-Level Language

uses a short descriptive word to represent each of the machine-language instructions, also known as assembly language

Cable Modem

uses the cable TV line maintained by the cable company and is generally faster than DSL