IWUOnline BSBIS - Java Programming

Java programming technology is still quite young. It was May 23, 1995 when Sun Microsystems and Netscape jointly announced the first support for Java programming in Netscape Navigator. At that time, the entire Java technology team numbered less than 30 (see Java Technology: An Early History). The development of Java has had a major impact on the software industry.

Sun Microsystem's strategy is to open up Java to any and all. Any software vendors and individual developers - from development tool vendors, language compiler developers, database management system vendors, and client/server application vendors to small businesses - can then use Java programming to create Internet-capable, run-anywhere applications and services. Today, Java is the primary language for Web applications development (which includes HTML programming). Several companies, including Microsoft, IBM, and Netscape, have incorporated Java into their products. In addition, other products such as ActiveX by Microsoft can be used to develop network-ready applets.

Two courses in Java programming are included in the BSBIS Online curriculum. These Java programming courses help the student understand the Java program development environment, write simple Java applications and applets, understand basic problem solving techniques, methods, encapsulation, data abstraction, and class variables and methods. Programming exercises are chosen to provide students with focused practice on individual programming skills.

As with the Visual Basic programming courses, the Java programming courses are not intended to develop students into high-end application programmers. Rather, these courses provide a foundation for further learning toward that goal if students so desire to pursue it. The two courses do have a heavy programming focus so that students get practical experience in developing simple applications. A final group project should result in a Java program that would be useful in the business world.

Numerous resources are available on the Internet to assist with Java programming. A sample of these resources include:

Java.sun.com -- The source for Java technology. The one and only Sun Java site (other than the Java Developer's Connection).
Java Programming Resources - FAQs, tutorials, compiler and browser download sites, documentation, book lists, and applet and class library collections.
DeveloperWorks: Java Technology - Tutorials, regular articles on best coding practice, news, and free software from IBM.
Introduction to Programming Using Java - A free Java programming textbook by David J. Eck, available for use on-line and for downloading.
Java Programmer's FAQ - Frequently asked questions (with answers) for programmers using the Java language. These FAQs here are intended for people who already have some programming experience, though maybe not in the Java programming language.
Java Tutorials - From the Grounds Up, a nice set of articles including code, teaching Java.