Java Term of the Week: Statement

If expressions are akin to clauses in the English language, then statements are like sentences. A sentence forms a complete idea which can include one or more clauses. Likewise, a statement in Java forms a complete command to be executed and can include one or more expressions.

There are three main groups that encompass the different kinds of statements in Java:

• Expression statements: these change values of variables, call methods and create objects.
• Declaration statements: these declare variables.
• Control flow statements: these determine the order that statements are executed.