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From Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies, 2nd Edition by Java For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Barry Burd Java All-in-One For Dummies Cheat Sheet

As you start programming with Java, it pays to become familiar with the Java
keywords as quickly as possible. These keywords have very specific and very
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helpful meanings within the language. You can’t use a keyword for anything
other than its stated purpose, but when used for its stated purpose, a keyword is
a powerful tool.

Java Keywords
The 50 Java keywords have specific meanings within the language, so you can’t use the keywords in
this table for anything other than their function within Java. And, you can't make up new meanings for
the words false, null, and true, either. But for technical reasons, those three words aren't called
keywords. Whatever!

Note: The boldface words in the “What It Does” column are other keywords.

Keyword What It Does

abstract Indicates that the details of a class, a method, or an interface are given elsewhere
in the code.
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assert Tests the truth of a condition that the programmer believes is true.
Beginning Programming with
boolean Indicates that a value is either true or false, in the Java sense. Java For Dummies, 3rd Edition
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break Jumps out of a loop or switch.

byte Indicates that a value is an 8-bit whole number.

case Introduces one of several possible paths of execution in a switch statement.

catch Introduces statements that are executed when something interrupts the flow of
execution in a try clause.
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char Indicates that a value is a character (a single letter, digit, punctuation symbol, and
so on) stored in 16 bits of memory. Sign up for one of our newsletters...

class Introduces a class — a blueprint for an object.

c Computers, Mobile Devices & Gadgets
d
e
f
g
const You can’t use this word in a Java program. The word has no meaning. Because c Digital Photography
d
e
f
g
it’s a keyword, you can’t create a const variable. c eBay
d
e
f
g

continue Forces the abrupt end of the current loop iteration and begins another iteration.
c Food, Home & Garden
d
e
f
g
c Health & Wellness
d
e
f
g
default Introduces a path of execution to take when no case is a match in a switch
c Mac
d
e
f
g
statement.
c Microsoft Windows & Office
d
e
f
g
do Causes the computer to repeat some statements over and over again (for c Online & Social Networking
d
e
f
g
instance, as long as the computer keeps getting unacceptable results).
c Personal Finance & Investing
d
e
f
g
double Indicates that a value is a 64-bit number with one or more digits after the decimal enter E-Mail address
point. Privacy Policy

else Introduces statements that are executed when the condition in an if statement
isn’t true.

enum Creates a newly defined type — a group of values that a variable can have.

extends Creates a subclass — a class that reuses functionality from a previously defined
class.

final Indicates that a variable’s value cannot be changed, that a class’s functionality
cannot be extended, or that a method cannot be overridden.
 finally Introduces the last will and testament of the statements in a try clause.

float Indicates that a value is a 32-bit number with one or more digits after the decimal
point.

for Gets the computer to repeat some statements over and over again (for instance, a
certain number of times).

goto You can’t use this word in a Java program. The word has no meaning. Because
it’s a keyword, you can’t create a goto variable.

if Tests to see whether a condition is true. If it’s true, the computer executes certain
statements; otherwise, the computer executes other statements.

implements Reuses the functionality from a previously defined interface.

import Enables the programmer to abbreviate the names of classes defined in a

package.

instanceof Tests to see whether a certain object comes from a certain class.

int Indicates that a value is a 32-bit whole number.

interface Introduces an interface, which is like a class, but less specific. (Interfaces are
used in place of the confusing multiple-inheritance feature that’s in C++.)

long Indicates that a value is a 64-bit whole number.

native Enables the programmer to use code that was written in another language (one
of those awful languages other than Java).

new Creates an object from an existing class.

package Puts the code into a package — a collection of logically related definitions.

private Indicates that a variable or method can be used only within a certain class.

protected Indicates that a variable or method can be used in subclasses from another
package.

public Indicates that a variable, class, or method can be used by any other Java code.

return Ends execution of a method and possibly returns a value to the calling code.

short Indicates that a value is a 16-bit whole number.

static Indicates that a variable or method belongs to a class, rather than to any object
created from the class.

strictfp Limits the computer’s ability to represent extra large or extra small numbers when
the computer does intermediate calculations on float and double values.

super Refers to the superclass of the code in which the word super appears.

switch Tells the computer to follow one of many possible paths of execution (one of
many possible cases), depending on the value of an expression.

synchronized Keeps two threads from interfering with one another.

this A self-reference — refers to the object in which the word this appears.

throw Creates a new exception object and indicates that an exceptional situation
(usually something unwanted) has occurred.

throws Indicates that a method or constructor may pass the buck when an exception is
thrown.

transient Indicates that, if and when an object is serialized, a variable’s value doesn’t need
to be stored.

try Introduces statements that are watched (during runtime) for things that can go
wrong.

void Indicates that a method doesn’t return a value.

volatile Imposes strict rules on the use of a variable by more than one thread at a time.

while Repeats some statements over and over again (as long as a condition is still
true).

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 Comments (4)

1. Posted by bahadry OCTOBER 20, 2009 | 00:31AM

thanx, very useful.
(Report comment)

2. Posted by snigdha NOVEMBER 13, 2009 | 11:01AM

Dummies.com very informative & useful. Thankyou.
(Report comment)

3. Posted by Doug Denham FEBRUARY 19, 2010 | 03:40PM

JCreater can't find javac but w7's search programs and files can. What now?
(Report comment)

4. Posted by Alan Cox MARCH 20, 2010 | 05:49PM

It seems a way of hiding something behind a code. Or a code just to open a program
(Report comment)

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