Course Summary

In this course, you’ll learn the key concepts of object-oriented programming (OOP) as well as fundamental programming techniques. A key concept of OOP is to distribute tasks between several suitable components. Each of these components has its own state and behavior and can communicate with other components. You’ll apply your newly acquired knowledge by implementing hands-on programming exercises in the Java programming language. The course will be completed by an exercise in which you’ll model a small, object-oriented, real-world scenario.

For a better understanding, the programming exercises are combined with a detective story. Help Duke to solve his mysterious new case!

After completing this course, you’ll be able to model and implement small programs in Java and apply OOP best practices.

Course Characteristics

• Starting from: June 13, 2018, 09:00 UTC
• Duration: 6 weeks
• Effort: ~6 hours per week
  • Depending on your level of knowledge, this time may vary
  • If you participate in the bonus assessment, you may need additional time
• Assignments: Hands-on programming exercises, quizzes, weekly exams, final exam
• Bonus points: Hands-on modeling in a team (Team Peer Assessment)
• Course language: English

Learning Outcomes

Java Basics

• Get started with a Java program (Main method, Hello World)
• Read and understand Java Syntax
• Know and apply basic programming constructs in Java (variables and types)

OOP Basics

• Basics of UML class diagrams
• Create classes based on UML diagrams
• Know and understand terminology of object-oriented programming (class, object, instance)
• Create classes including methods and attributes

OOP Advanced Topics

• Know and understand terminology of object-oriented programming (instance, inheritance, composition)
• Classes and subclasses
• Polymorphism: overriding (and overwriting) methods

Java Advanced Topics

• Know and apply further programming constructs in Java (conditions and loops)
• Understand and apply statements, assignments, operators
• Implement inheritance relationships in Java
• Implement aggregations in Java
• Java collections
• Error handling

Modeling Basics

• Inheritance, aggregation, association

IDE Basics

• Eclipse, Compiler, Interpreter
• Improving code quality
• Version Control

Course Content

• Introduction: Programming Basics
• Week 1: Java Classes and Objects
• Week 2: Further Programming Concepts
• Week 3: Object-Oriented Programming
• Week 4: Modeling
• Week 5: Advanced Programming Concepts
• Week 6: Final Exam
• Outro: Introduction to a Java IDE and Outlook

Course Requirements

To participate in this course, all you need is to be interested in programming. You’ll also need a computer with Internet access and a modern browser.

Previous experience in programming will be helpful but is not necessarily required.

Previous Version of This Course

The previous version of this course (in German) is available here (on openHPI):

Objektorientierte Programmierung in Java (March 27 through May 14, 2017)