Final Project: Building a Complete System with Java
Object Oriented Programming with Java
Throughout the course "Learn to program in complete Java", you deepened your knowledge of programming logic, control structures, collections, exception handling, and, above all, Object Oriented Programming (OOP). Now, the time has come to apply all this knowledge by building a complete system in Java.
OOP is a programming paradigm that uses objects and classes to represent real-world entities and mechanisms. This allows you to build more organized, flexible, and reusable programs. In Java, one of the most popular and robust languages for OOP, you have all the tools necessary to create complex and efficient applications.
Defining the Project Scope
The first step for our final project is to define the scope. Deciding on the system we are going to develop is crucial to guide the next steps. For this example, we will build a library management system. This system will allow the registration of books, authors, loans and users.
Planning and Design
Before we start coding, we need to plan our application. This involves creating class diagrams to visualize the relationships between objects. In our library system, we will have classes like Book, Author, User, and Loan. Each of these classes will have specific attributes and methods that define their responsibilities within the system.
Implementation of Classes
With the design in hand, we began implementing the classes. Let's ensure that each class follows OOP principles such as encapsulation, inheritance, abstraction and polymorphism.
For example, the Book class can have attributes such as title, isbn, author and methods such as borrow () and return(). The Author class, in turn, will have attributes such as name and email.
User Interface Development
To interact with the system, users will need an interface. In the context of a course, we might start with a command line interface (CLI) and later move on to graphical user interfaces (GUI). The CLI will be responsible for receiving commands from the user and invoking the corresponding actions in the classes.
Database Integration
A library management system needs to store data persistently. Therefore, we will integrate our system with a database. Java offers the JDBC API to connect to relational databases. We will define data access classes (DAOs) to abstract database operations and ensure separation of responsibilities.
Tests
Testing is a fundamental step in software development. We will create unit tests for each class, ensuring that the methods work as expected. Frameworks like JUnit can be used to facilitate writing and running tests.
Refactoring and Improvements
With the system working, we can refactor the code to improve quality and maintainability. This may involve reorganizing classes, reducing duplication, and improving code readability.
Documentation
Documenting the system is essential so that other developers can understand and contribute to the project. We will use Javadoc to document the classes and methods, explaining their functions and how they should be used.
Conclusion
When you finish the project, you will have a complete library management system that demonstrates your ability to apply object-oriented programming with Java. This project not only consolidates the knowledge acquired, but also serves as an excellent portfolio for future professional opportunities.
Remember that practice makes perfect. Keep exploring new aspects ofJava and object-oriented programming. Try adding new features to your system or start a new project with different requirements and challenges. Learning programming is an ongoing process and there is always something new to discover and master.
