Introduction to Java Through Game Development

Interested in learning how to program with Java? Let’s face it, the best way to learn to program is by writing programs. This can be a daunting proposition with the specter of hours of simple command line example programs hanging over your head. Fear not! Now you can learn to program in Java in a fun way by working on video games.

With this book, you’ll get to work with three Java game projects and have access to the complete game code for each project, including a full Java game engine. After completing Introduction to Java through Game Development, you’ll be proficient in Java programming, having worked with the language’s fundamental aspects throughout the text, and will be ready to further your Java and game programming expertise with confidence.

WHAT YOU'LL

* Master the fundamentals of the Java programming language
* Use different data structures like arrays, lists, stacks, and queues
* Understand game programming basics including the main game loop
* Gain experience working with three different game projects via the book’s coding challenges
* Work with the 2D game engine that powers the book's included games and learn to create your own new game projects
* Understand advanced Java topics like classes, encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism
* Work with exceptions and how to use debugging techniques to trace through code
* Sharpen your skills with over a dozen coding challenges that test your abilities with a development task on a real game project

WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR

This book requires little to no programming experience to understand and benefit from the text.VICTOR BRUSCA is an experienced software developer specializing in building cross-platform applications and APIs. He regards himself as a self-starter with a keen eye for detail, an obsessive protection of systems/data, and a desire to write well-documented, well-encapsulated code. With over 14 years' software development experience, he has been involved in game and game engine projects on J2ME, T-Mobile SideKick, WebOS, Windows Phone, Xbox 360, Android, iOS, and web platforms. Chapter 1: Introduction

Sub –topics

• Introduction

o About this text

o Notes on formatting

o Notes on conventions

• The book’s objectives

o Java fundamental topics

o Java advanced topics

o Game projects included

• Setting up your environment

o Checking your Java version

o Installing the latest JDK

o Installing the NetBeans IDE o Getting the game projects setup

• Checking out the games

o Running pong clone

o Running memory match

o Running the duel

• Conclusion

o Talking points

o What we covered

Chapter 2: What is Java Programming

Sub – topics

• Computers and programming

o Programming computers

o Programming languages

o Types of programs/programming• The Java programming language

o A very brief history

o The JRE

o The JDK

o Syntax and semantics

• Game programming

o Program structure

o The game loop

o General structure of included games

• Conclusion

o Talking points

o What we covered

Chapter 3: Variables

Sub - topics:

• Data types

o Basic

o Advanced

o Custom

o Enumerations

• Using variables

o Declaring variables

o Assigning values to variables

o Objects, classes, instances

o Enumerations

o Casting

• Conclusion

o Talking points

o What we covered

Chapter 4: Expressions and Flow ControlSub - topics:

• Expressions

o Numeric

o Boolean

o Operator precedence

• Flow control

o If, else, else if statements

o Switch statements

o Try-catch statements

• Conclusion

o Talking points

o What we covered

Chapter 5: Arrays and Data Structures

Sub - topics:

• Arrays

o Declaring arrays

o Initializing arrays

o Using arrays

• Data structures

o Lists

o Dictionaries

o Generic vs specialized data structures

• Conclusion

o Talking points

o What we covered

Chapter 6: Looping and Iteration

Sub - topics:

• For loops

o Basic for loop o For each loop

• While loops

o Basic while loop

o Infinite loop

o Main game loop

• Conclusion

o Talking points

o What we covered

Chapter 7: Objects, Classes, and OOP

Sub - topics:

• Introduction to OOP

o Classes

o Fields

o Methods

o Constructors

o Static members

• Advanced class topics

o Access

o Class design

o Main game loop

• Conclusion

o Talking points

o What we covered

Chapter 8: Encapsulation, Polymorphism, and Inheritance

Sub - topics:

• Encapsulation

• Polymorphism

• Inheritance

• Importing class libraries

• Project structure

• Conclusion

o Talking points

o What we covered

Chapter 9: Debugging Techniques

Sub - topics:

• Basic debugging o CLI output trace

• Advanced debugging

o IDE debugging features

• Exceptions

o Handling exceptions

o Defining your own exceptions

o Getting familiar with a stack trace

• Conclusion

o Talking points

o What we covered

Chapter 10: Conclusion

Sub - topics:

• Final thoughts

• High level topic review/takeaways/what we covered• Where to go from here

• Saying bye