Java Programming for Spatial Sciences

by Wood; Jo

• ISBN13: 9780415260985
• ISBN10: 0415260981
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2002-05-16
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

The Java programming language has been one of the most exciting internet-friendly technologies to emerge in the last decade. Java Programming for Spatial Sciences introduces the subject to those who wish to use computers to handle information with a geographical element. The book introduces object-oriented modeling including key concepts such as abstraction, inheritance and encapsulation. It shows how these ideas can be used to model, process and visualize geographic information leading the reader from initial ideas of class design through to the implementation of feature rich raster and vector models of space. It includes some of the more recent developments in internet technologies such as web-based applets, remote communication and XML, showing how these can be used to deliver geographic information in a modern computing environment. The text is aimed at new programmers as well as those in fields such as geography, GIS, remote sensing, archaeology and biology who wish to make use of geographic information. It provides a useful course text for advanced undergraduates and postgraduates in these fields. The material is heavily example-led, and contains programming exercises and quizzes, making it suitable for self-paced learning.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	viii
List of Tables	x
Preface	xi
Acknowledgements	xiii
Introduction	1	(18)
Welcome	1	(3)
What is a Programming Language?	4	(1)
Programming Styles	5	(2)
Object-Oriented Modelling	7	(3)
Why Program With Java?	10	(1)
A Short History of Java and the Internet	11	(2)
Creating a Working Program	13	(2)
Examples	15	(3)
Summary	18	(1)
Introducing Classes and Objects	19	(24)
Class Design	19	(3)
Classes and Objects	22	(1)
The State of a Class	23	(8)
The Behaviour of a Class	31	(2)
Making Code Clear	33	(2)
Distinguishing Classes from Objects in Java	35	(5)
Summary	40	(3)
Developing Classes and Objects	43	(30)
Inheritance	43	(5)
Abstract Methods and Interfaces	48	(2)
Passing messages	50	(5)
Using Graphical Classes in Java	55	(7)
Case Study: Modelling Ants in the Garden	62	(10)
Summary	72	(1)
Controlling Program Movement	73	(30)
Procedural and Object-Oriented Design Revisited	73	(1)
Applying Operators to Variables	73	(4)
Rules of Precedence and Precision	77	(1)
Controlling Movement With loops	78	(6)
Grouping Data in Arrays	84	(5)
Laying Out Graphical Components	89	(4)
Case Study: Creating a Displayable Raster Map	93	(8)
Summary	101	(2)
Making Decisions	103	(28)
Making Decisions With if	103	(8)
Making Decisions With switch	111	(4)
Other ways of Making Decisions	115	(1)
Good Decision Making Design	116	(1)
Case Study: Adding Spatial Classes to Garden Ants	117	(12)
Summary	129	(2)
Sharing Classes	131	(24)
Controlling Variable Scope	131	(4)
Documenting Java code	135	(2)
Java Packages	137	(5)
Case Study: Creating A Graphical Ants Model	142	(11)
Summary	153	(2)
Collecting Objects Together	155	(38)
Vector Modelling of Spatial Objects	155	(4)
Dynamic Groups	159	(14)
Case Study: Feeding Ant Colonies	173	(17)
Summary	190	(3)
Controlling Dynamic Events	193	(40)
Event Handling	193	(7)
Threads	200	(10)
Case Study: Creating a Displayable Spatial Model	210	(20)
Summary	230	(3)
Handling Streams and Files	233	(32)
Input and Output Streams	233	(7)
Reading and Writing Files	240	(7)
Analysing Strings	247	(2)
Object Serialization	249	(2)
Case Study: Adding File Handling to Spatial Objects	251	(12)
Summary	263	(2)
Communicating with the Wider World	265	(36)
The Applet	265	(9)
Case Study: A Simple Map Applet	274	(5)
Communicating Using XML	279	(10)
Case Study: Converting Applications into Applets	289	(10)
Summary	299	(2)
References and Further Reading	301	(4)
Glossary	305	(10)
Index	315