Paolo A.G. Sivilotti
ABSTRACT
Abstraction is a critical concept that underlies many topics in computing science. For example, in software engineering, the distinction between a component's behavior and its implementation is fundamental. Java provides two constructs that correspond to precisely this distinction: A Java interface is a client's abstract view of a component's behavior, while a class is a concrete implementation of that same component. We have developed a course that introduces Java while following a discipline of diligently decomposing every component into these two separate linguistic elements. In this course, interfaces are given the same prominence as classes since both are needed for a complete component. This approach is helpful to students by providing: (i) a clear manifestation of the role of abstraction in software systems, and (ii) a framework that naturally motivates many good coding practices adopted by professional programmers.
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Index Terms
- Interfaces first (and foremost) with Java
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