Java Data Types

Introduction:

Data types are the kind of data that variables hold in a programming language. A data type is an attribute of data that tells the compiler or interpreter how the programmer plan to use the data. There are two types of data types in Java:

Primitive data types ( intrinsic or built-in types )
Non-primitive data types (derived types )

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Data types

Data Type	Size	Description
byte	1 byte	Stores whole numbers from -128 to 127
short	2 bytes	Stores whole numbers from -32,768 to 32,767
int	4 bytes	Stores whole numbers from -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647
long	8 bytes	Stores whole numbers from -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807
float	4 bytes	Stores fractional numbers. Sufficient for storing 6 to 7 decimal digits
double	8 bytes	Stores fractional numbers. Sufficient for storing 15 decimal digits
boolean	1 bit	Stores true or false values
boolean	1 bit	Stores true or false values
char	2 bytes	Stores a single character/letter or ASCII values

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1. Primitive Data Types :

Primitive types are predefined (already defined) in Java. A primitive type starts with a lowercase letter. The primitive data types include char, byte, short, int, long, boolean, float, and double.

char :

The char data type is used to store a single character. The character must be surrounded by single quotes.

char grade = 'A';//A is a charater System.out.println(grade);

byte:

The byte data type can store whole numbers from -128 to 127. This can be used instead of int or other integer types to save memory.

byte num = 120; System.out.println(num);

short:

The short data type can store whole numbers from -32768 to 32767.

short num = 6000; System.out.println(num);

int:

The int data type is the preferred data type when we create variables with a numeric value. The int data type can store whole numbers from -2147483648 to 2147483647.

int num = 100000; System.out.println(num);

long:

The long data type can store whole numbers from -9223372036854775808 to 9223372036854775807. This is used when int is not large enough to store the value. Note that you should end the value with an "L".

long num = 16000000000L; System.out.println(num);

boolean:

A boolean data type is declared with the boolean keyword and can only take the values true or false.

boolean male = true; boolean female = false; System.out.println(male); // Outputs true System.out.println(female); // Outputs false

float:

The float data type can store fractional numbers from 3.4e−038 to 3.4e+038. Note that you should end the value with an "f".


float num = 4.75f; //System.out.println(num);

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double:

The double data type can store fractional numbers from 1.7e−308 to 1.7e+308. Note that you should end the value with a "d".


double num = 18.85d;
System.out.println(num);

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2. Non-Primitive Data Types

Non-primitive types are created by the programmer. non-primitive types start with an uppercase letter. The non-primitive data types include Classes, Interface, Strings, and Arrays.

Classes:

A class is a group of objects which have common properties. It is a user-defined data type with a template that serves to define its properties. To create a class, use the keyword class. Let's learn the class in detail in upcoming chapters.


public class Main { 
// Main is the class name  
int num = 20;  
void getdata(){  
}  
void putdata(){  
}
}

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Interfaces:

The interface keyword to create an interface. An interface is slightly different from the class. It contains only ****constants and method declarations.


interface car   // car is the interface name{   void start();   void stop();  }

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Strings:

The String data type is used to store a sequence of characters (text). String values must be surrounded by double quotes.


String greeting = "Hello World";
System.out.println(greeting);

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Arrays:

Arrays are used to store multiple values in a single variable, instead of declaring separate variables for each value. To declare an array, define the variable type with square brackets.


String[] cars = {"Audi", "BMW", "Ford"}; 
int[] num = {10, 20, 30, 40};

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