Chapter 1: Breaking the Surface — Java Syntax Practice

Course: Introduction to Java Programming
Unit: Module 1 – Java Basics and Control Flow
Based on: Head First Java, 3rd Edition, Chapter 1

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📚 Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Write and run a basic Java program with a main method.
2. Declare and use variables of types int, String, and double.
3. Write a while loop and a for loop to repeat actions.
4. Write if/else conditional statements to branch logic.
5. Use System.out.print() and System.out.println() to display output.
6. Follow proper Java syntax rules (semicolons, curly braces, comments).

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📖 Reading

Complete the assigned reading before starting each activity. Links will be posted here by your instructor.

Assignment	Reading
MyFirstApp – Java Syntax Practice	Link coming soon
Sharpen Your Pencil 1 – Easy Write Java	Link coming soon
Sharpen Your Pencil 2 – Conditional Branching	Link coming soon
BottleSong – Debug Activity	Link coming soon
PhraseOMatic – Coding Activity	Link coming soon

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📋 Assignments

This repository contains 5 assignments for Chapter 1. Complete them in order.

#	File	Type	Description	Points
1	MyFirstApp.java	Coding	Write a program using variables, loops, and conditionals from scratch using TODOs	100 pts
2	113_Look-How-Easy-It-Is-To-Write-Java_SharpenPencil1.md	Written	Read Java code snippets and explain in plain English what each line does	20 pts
3	118_Conidtional-Branching_SharpenPencil2.md	Written + Fill-in	Fill in missing values in the Doobee program and answer explanation questions	20 pts
4	119_Coding-A-Serious-Business-Application_Activity.md + BottleSong.java	Debug + Written	Find and fix the flaw in the BottleSong program; answer reflection questions	25 pts
5	PhraseOMatic.java	Coding	Build the Phrase-O-Matic program step by step using guided TODOs	Ungraded / Practice

Total Graded Points: 165 pts

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🗺️ Background

In Chapter 1 of Head First Java, you learned that your code can tell the JVM to do three things:

#	What it does	Syntax used
1	Do something	Declarations, assignments, method calls
2	Do something again and again	while loops, for loops
3	Do something under a condition	if/else statements

Every Java statement ends with a semicolon (;). Classes and methods are wrapped in curly braces { }. Comments start with //.

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📝 Assignment 1 – MyFirstApp Java Syntax Practice (100 pts)

You have been given a starter file — MyFirstApp.java — that contains the class structure and TODO comments. Your job is to fill in the code so that the program compiles and produces the correct output.

Tasks

Task 1 – Variable Declarations and Assignments (25 pts)
Inside the main method, declare and assign the following variables:

• An int named x with a value of 3
• A String named name with a value of "Dirk"
• Multiply x by 17 and store the result back in x
• Print "x is " followed by the value of x using System.out.print()
• Declare a double named d and assign it a random number using Math.random()
• Add at least one single-line comment (//) explaining what one of your lines does

Task 2 – Loops (30 pts)

• Write a while loop that subtracts 1 from x as long as x is greater than 12
• Write a for loop that starts i at 0, runs while i is less than 10, and increments i by 1 each time
  • Inside the for loop, print "i is now " followed by the value of i on its own line

Task 3 – Conditional Branching (30 pts)

• Write an if/else statement that:
  • Prints "x must be 10" if x equals 10
  • Prints "x isn't 10" otherwise
• Write a second if statement that prints "Gently" if x is less than 3 AND name equals "Dirk" (use .equals() for String comparison)
• After both conditionals, print "this line runs no matter what"

Task 4 – Syntax Rules (15 pts)
Review your code and make sure:

• Every statement ends with a semicolon
• All blocks are closed with matching curly braces
• You have added at least three comments total across your code explaining what different sections do
• Your code compiles and runs without errors

Expected Output

x is 51i is now 0
i is now 1
i is now 2
i is now 3
i is now 4
i is now 5
i is now 6
i is now 7
i is now 8
i is now 9
x isn't 10this line runs no matter what

Note: System.out.print() does not add a newline. Only System.out.println() adds a newline.

See RUBRIC.md for the full grading breakdown.

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✏️ Assignment 2 – Sharpen Your Pencil 1: Easy Write Java (20 pts)

Open 113_Look-How-Easy-It-Is-To-Write-Java_SharpenPencil1.md. For each Java code snippet, write a plain-English explanation of what the line does. Three answers are already filled in as examples. Replace every ___________ with your own explanation, then commit and push.

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✏️ Assignment 3 – Sharpen Your Pencil 2: Conditional Branching (20 pts)

Open 118_Conidtional-Branching_SharpenPencil2.md. Fill in the two missing values in the Doobee program so it produces the correct output, then answer the four explanation questions. Commit and push when done.

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🐛 Assignment 4 – Debug Activity: BottleSong (25 pts)

Open BottleSong.java — it compiles and runs, but the output has a flaw. Open 119_Coding-A-Serious-Business-Application_Activity.md and follow the three parts: spot the flaw, fix the code, and answer the reflection questions. Push both files when done.

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💻 Assignment 5 – Coding Activity: PhraseOMatic (Practice)

Open PhraseOMatic.java. Follow the five guided TODO steps to build a program that randomly generates business buzzword phrases. This is an ungraded practice activity — focus on getting it to compile and run.

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🚀 Getting Started

1. Accept this assignment via the GitHub Classroom link provided by your instructor.
2. Clone your personal repository to your local machine:

   git clone <your-repo-url>

3. Work through the assignments in order (1 → 5).
4. Compile and test any .java files:

   javac FileName.java
   java FileName

5. Commit and push your work regularly:

   git add .
   git commit -m "Your message here"
   git push

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📁 Repository Contents

File	Description
MyFirstApp.java	Assignment 1 starter file
113_Look-How-Easy-It-Is-To-Write-Java_SharpenPencil1.md	Assignment 2 fill-in activity
118_Conidtional-Branching_SharpenPencil2.md	Assignment 3 fill-in activity
118_Conidtional-Branching_SharpenPencil2.md	Assignment 4 debug questions
BottleSong.java	Assignment 4 buggy starter file
PhraseOMatic.java	Assignment 5 guided coding starter
RUBRIC.md	Grading rubric for Assignment 1
README.md	This file

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⚠️ Submission Requirements

• Push all completed files to your GitHub Classroom repo before the deadline.
• Do not submit compiled .class files — only .java and .md source files will be graded.
• All .java files must compile without errors to receive full coding credit.

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💡 Hints

• Revisit the Syntax Fun box from Chapter 1 for a quick reference on rules.
• Use String.equals() instead of == when comparing Strings.
• Math.random() returns a double between 0.0 (inclusive) and 1.0 (exclusive).
• If you get a compile error, read the error message carefully — it will tell you the line number.

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Based on Head First Java, 3rd Edition by Kathy Sierra & Bert Bates (O'Reilly Media, 2022).