VERY basic Java questions

[hayden06f4i]

So im 3 weeks into Java "How to Program" course, have made a few things, some things i understand very well, (selection statements, repetition statements), but obviously alot of things i don't. wondering if someone could re-explain something to me.

Contructors/set/get

like an example:

courseName = name;

what is that saying exactly? is the name to the right of the = sign a java word, or am i naming it name, or....i guess the concept i have of constructors and set/get is off.

__________________________________________________ __
in the second program when i call to the first a line something like

Gradebook mygradebook = new Gradebook

what is all that saying exactly?

my mind makes me have to know "how" and "why" things work, not just THAT they work, and i don't understand this. I know that i have made a class called Gradebook, and somehow im referencing that, but which word in that line is doing what?

You guys have already been a huge help to me in the first few weeks, and i really appreciate it.

[StormyWaters]

courseName = name;

This is stating that the variable courseName is being assigned the variable name.
Variables (The Java™ Tutorials > Learning the Java Language > Language Basics)

Gradebook mygradebook = new Gradebook

Well, if you add the "();" to the Gradebook so you have "new Gradebook();", this is creating an instance of the class Gradebook and assigning it to the variable mygradebook.
Providing Constructors for Your Classes (The Java™ Tutorials > Learning the Java Language > Classes and Objects)

[BariMutation]

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking on your first question, but as for the second one, it's actually quite simple. I'll answer this with an example that I'm sure you've come across before (at least I did after 3 weeks).

Say that"Gradebook" is a class, and "mygradebook" is a student within that class. I'm going to rephrase it for easier understanding.

Gradebook ryan = new Gradebook();

What this is saying, essentially, is that I'm creating a new student within my gradebook that I can assign values to. To the right of the = sign you see "new Gradebook();". This is essentially telling Java to create a new "student". Here's a few more examples, let me know if you need more help.

Students john = new Students();
Birds cardinal = new Birds();
Countries peru = new Countries();

[hayden06f4i]

thanks to both of you guys, i still need more time programming for it to click. i understand what the point is, especially with Bari, your simplified example was a big help.

stormy, so a really dumb question, but what is the point of doing this then?

courseName = name;?

[KevinWorkman]

Recommended reading: JavaRanch Campfire - Cup Size: a Story About Variables and its follow up JavaRanch Campfire - Pass By Value, Please

[hayden06f4i]

thanks Kevin, i read both of those fully, it did make a couple things clear, the line

Gradebook mygradebook = new Gradebook (); now makes more sense.

i appreciate it guys, thank you.

[StormyWaters]

thanks to both of you guys, i still need more time programming for it to click. i understand what the point is, especially with Bari, your simplified example was a big help.

stormy, so a really dumb question, but what is the point of doing this then?

courseName = name;?

Its used to store whatever you currently have in variable name in the variable courseName. It's used a lot, especially in setter methods, though I've seen it done... um, everywhere I guess..., but set methods are a good example. It's usually done to increase the scope of the value in the variable being set to.

Example of a Setter Method(setBreed(String)).

public class Dog {
     String mBreed;

     public Dog() {
          super();
     )
     
     public Dog(String pBreed) {
          this();
          setBreed(pBreed);
     }
 
     public void setBreed(String pBreed) {
          mBreed = pBreed;
     }

}

Notice the setter method setBreed(String) sets the mBread variable to whatever is being passed in the variable pBreed.