Java Data Types
A variable in Java must be a specified with data type.
Data types are divided into two groups:
- Primitive data types – includes byte, short, int, long, float, double, boolean and char
- Non-primitive data types – such as String, Arrays and Classes (you will learn more about these in a later chapter)
Primitive Data Types
A primitive data type specifies the size and type of variable values, and it has no additional methods.
There are eight primitive data types in Java:
| 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 |
| char | 2 bytes | Stores a single character/letter or ASCII values |
Integer Types
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 when you are certain that the value will be within -128 and 127:
Example
public class DemoDataType {
public static void main(String args[]) {
byte Number = 118;
System.out.println(Number);
}
}Output:
118Short
The short data type can store whole numbers from -32768 to 32767:
Example
public class DemoDataType {
public static void main(String args[]) {
short Number = 3000;
System.out.println(Number);
}
}Output:
3000Int
The int data type can store whole numbers from -2147483648 to 2147483647. In general, and in our tutorial, the int data type is the preferred data type when we create variables with a numeric value.
Example
public class DemoDataType {
public static void main(String args[]) {
int Number = 500;
System.out.println(Number);
}
}
Output :
500Long
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”:
Example
public class DemoDataType {
public static void main(String args[]) {
long Number = 1800000000L;
System.out.println(Number);
}
}Output:
1800000000Floating Point(Rational) Types
You should use a floating point type whenever you want a number with a decimal, such as 7.99 or 3.14515.
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”:
Example
public class DemoDataType {
public static void main(String args[]) {
float Number = 3.14f;
System.out.println(Number);// output:3.14
}
}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”:
Example
public class DemoDataType {
public static void main(String args[]) {
double Number = 36.99d;
System.out.println(Number);//output:36.99
}
}Use float or double?
The precision of a floating point value indicates how many digits the value can have after the decimal point. The precision of float is only six or seven decimal digits, while double variables have a precision of about 15 digits. Therefore it is safer to use double for most calculations.
Scientific Numbers
A floating point number can also be a scientific number with an “e” to indicate the power of 10:
Example
public class DemoDataType {
public static void main(String args[]) {
float f1 = 45e2f;
double d1 = 21E1d;
System.out.println(f1);
System.out.println(d1);
}
}Output:
4500.0
210.0Booleans
A boolean data type is declared with the boolean keyword and can only take the values true or false:
Example
public class DemoDataType {
public static void main(String args[]) {
boolean myNameIsJava= true;
boolean javaIsNotAProgrammingLanguage= false;
System.out.println(myNameIsJava);
System.out.println( javaIsNotAProgrammingLanguage);
}
}
Output:
true
FalseBoolean values are mostly used for conditional testing, which you will learn more about in a later chapter.
Characters
The char data type is used to store a single character. The character must be surrounded by single quotes, like ‘c’ or ‘d’:
Example
public class DemoDataType {
public static void main(String args[]) {
char Grade ='a';
System.out.println(Grade); //Output :a
}
}Alternatively, you can use ASCII values to display certain characters:
Example
public class DemoDataType {
public static void main(String args[]) {
char a =75, b =85, c =97;
System.out.println(a);
System.out.println(b);
System.out.println(c);
}
}
Output:
K
U
aStrings
The String data type is used to store a sequence of characters (text). String values must be surrounded by double quotes:
Example
public class DemoDataType {
public static void main(String args[]) {
String greeting = "Hello Java World";
System.out.println(greeting);
}
}
Output:
Hello Java WorldA String in Java is actually a non-primitive data type, because it refers to an object. The String object has methods that is used to perform certain operations on strings. The String type is so much used and integrated in Java, that some call it “the special ninth type”.
Non-Primitive Data Types
Non-primitive data types are called reference types because they refer to objects.
The main difference between primitive and non-primitive data types are:
- Primitive types are predefined or already defined in Java. Non-primitive types are created by the programmer and is not defined by Java (except for String).
- Non-primitive types can be used to call methods to perform certain operations, while primitive types cannot.
- A primitive type has always a value, while non-primitive types can be null.
- A primitive type starts with a lowercase letter, while non-primitive types starts with an uppercase letter.
- The size of a primitive type depends on the data type, while non-primitive types have all the same size.
- Examples of non-primitive types are Strings, Arrays, Classes, Interface, etc.