Here is a brief definition of some of the Java language terms. If you are familiar with a 3rd or 4th generation programming language the term in parenthesis below will help you associate the object oriented term to a familiar concept.
Class consists of variables and methods.
Every Java applet is a class. Local Variable contains a value available only to the method in which it is defined. Object is an instance or occurrence of a class. Naming Conventions Class names typically are comprised of words that each begin with a Capital Letter. Method names usually begin with a lowercase letter and each subsequent word is capitalized.