Java for Game Development and Web Site Applications

This course teaches you how to use one of the newest and most powerful of the modern programming languages – Java. As a result of its built-in safety features, it was chosen by NASA to be used as the language for the Spirit and Opportunity robots in their exploration of Mars.  Because of its recognized strengths, Java was selected by the Advanced Placement Computer Science board to be the language used on exams beginning in 2003.

You will learn how to write powerful applications that will be very valuable in your coursework in any area that requires computation. One of the many strengths of the Java language is its strong and easy to learn graphics capabilities. These concepts will be incorporated into a variety of games throughout the course. Another strength of Java and a major rationale for its development is its use on the Web.  The development of graphical applets will be a major emphasis of the course. The focus will be on how they can be used in a variety of applications to include as a component of web sites.

The course is taught using Ganymede, the latest version of the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment; students will be shown how to obtain a free version of this software from the Internet.