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Primitive Data Type in Java

Java Primitive Data Type

In this tutorial, you’ll learn Primitive Data Type in Java and different data types in Java Language.

Before Starting with Primitive Data Type in Java lets first understand what Data Type is.

The term datatype refers to the type of data that can be stored in a variable. Sometimes, Java is called a “strongly typed language” because when you declare a variable, you must specify the variable’s type. Then the compiler ensures that you don’t try to assign data of the wrong type to the variable.

There are two data types available in Java:

  • Primitive Data Types
  • Reference/Object Data Types

Data types in java

Primitive Data Types

  • There are eight primitive data types supported by Java.
  • Primitive data types are predefined by the language and named by a keyword.

byte Data Type:

  • Byte data type is an 8-bit signed two’s complement integer.
  • The minimum value is -128 (-2^7)
  • The maximum value is 127 (inclusive)(2^7 -1)
  • The default value is 0
  • Byte data type is used to save space in large arrays, mainly in place of integers, since a byte is four times
  • smaller than an int.
  • Example: byte a = 100 , byte b = -50

short Data Type:

  • The short data type is a 16-bit signed two’s complement integer.
  • Minimum value is -32,768 (-2^15)
  • Maximum value is 32,767 (inclusive) (2^15 -1)
  • The short data type can also be used to save memory as byte data type. A short is 2 times smaller than an int
  • The default value is 0.
  • Example: shorts = 10000, short r = -20000

int Data Type:

  • Int data type is a 32-bit signed two’s complement integer.
  • Minimum value is – 2,147,483,648.(-2^31)
  • Maximum value is 2,147,483,647(inclusive).(2^31 -1)
  • Int is generally used as the default data type for integral values unless there is a concern about memory.
  • The default value is 0.
  • Example: int a = 100000, int b = -200000

int data type in java

long Data Type:

  • The long data type is a 64-bit signed two’s complement integer.
  • Minimum value is -9,223,372,036,854,775,808.(-2^63)
  • Maximum value is 9,223,372,036,854,775,807 (inclusive). (2^63 -1)
  • This type is used when a wider range than int is needed.
  • The default value is 0L.
  • Example: long a = 100000L, int b = -200000L

float Data Type:

  • Float data type is a single-precision 32-bit IEEE 754 floating point.
  • The float is mainly used to save memory in large arrays of floating point numbers.
  • Default value is 0.0f.
  • Float data type is never used for precise values such as currency.
  • Example: float f1 = 234.5f

double Data Type:

  • The double data type is a double-precision 64-bit IEEE 754 floating point.
  • This data type is generally used as the default data type for decimal values, generally the default choice.
  • Double data type should never be used for precise values such as currency.
  • Default value is 0.0d.
  • Example: double d1 = 123.4

double data type in java

boolean Data Type:

  • boolean data type represents one bit of information.
  • There are only two possible values: true and false.
  • This data type is used for simple flags that track true/false conditions.
  • The default value is false.
  • Example: boolean one = true

boolean data type in java

char Data Type:

  • char data type is a single 16-bit Unicode character.
  • Minimum value is ‘\u0000’ (or 0).
  • Maximum value is ‘\uffff’ (or 65,535 inclusive).
  • Char data type is used to store any character.
  • Example: char letter A =’A’

Ask your questions and clarify your/others doubts on Java Primitive Data Type by commenting. Documentation

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