Java Keywords

The keywords, also known as ‘reserved words’ have special meanings to Java language.

  • All Java keywords are lowercase.
  • An identifier can include a keyword as a part of its name, but it cannot have both the same letter case and spelling as a Java keyword..
  • The keywords are case sensitive. For example, the identifier with the name IF is allowed, but is a bad programming practice and not recommended.

Following table lists Java keywords.

abstract continue for new switch
assert default goto package synchronized
boolean do if private this
break double implements protected throw
byte else import public throws
case enum instanceof return transient
chatch extends int short try
char final interface static void
class finally long strictfp volatile
const float native super while

The keywords const and goto are reserved, they are not used anymore. truefalse, and null  are actually literals but you cannot use them as identifiers in your programs.

You will learn more about usage of these keywords in upcoming lessons.