Java Tutorial: Variables and Data Types in Java Programming
Java Tutorial: Variables and Data Types in Java Programming
Just like we have some rules that we follow to speak English (the
grammar), we have some rules to follow while writing a Java program.
This set of these rules is called syntax. It’s like Vocabulary and
Grammar of Java.
Variables
- A variable is a container that stores a value.
- This value can be changed during the execution of the program.
- Example: int number = 8; (Here, int is a data type, the number is the variable name, and 8 is the value it contains/stores).
Rules for declaring a variable name
We can choose a name while declaring a Java variable if the following rules are followed:
- Must not begin with a digit. (E.g., 1arry is an invalid variable)
- Name is case sensitive. (Harry and harry are different)
- Should not be a keyword (like Void).
- White space is not allowed. (int Code With Harry is invalid)
- Can contain alphabets, $character, _character, and digits if the other conditions are met.
Data Types
Data types in Java fall under the following categories
- Primitive Data Types (Intrinsic)
- Non-Primitive Data Types (Derived)
Primitive Data Types
Java is statically typed, i.e., variables must be declared before use. Java supports 8 primitive data types:
Data Type
Size
Value Range
1. Byte
1 byte
-128 to 127
2. short
1 byte
-32,768 to 32,767
3. int
2 byte
-2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647
4. float
4 byte
3.40282347 x 1038 to 1.40239846 x 10-45
5. long
8 byte
-9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807
6. double
8 byte
1.7976931348623157 x 10308, 4.9406564584124654 x 10-324
7. char
2 byte
0 to 65,535
8. boolean
Depends on JVM
True or False
Quick Quiz: Write a Java program to add three numbers,
Just like we have some rules that we follow to speak English (the grammar), we have some rules to follow while writing a Java program. This set of these rules is called syntax. It’s like Vocabulary and Grammar of Java.
Variables
- A variable is a container that stores a value.
- This value can be changed during the execution of the program.
- Example: int number = 8; (Here, int is a data type, the number is the variable name, and 8 is the value it contains/stores).
Rules for declaring a variable name
We can choose a name while declaring a Java variable if the following rules are followed:
- Must not begin with a digit. (E.g., 1arry is an invalid variable)
- Name is case sensitive. (Harry and harry are different)
- Should not be a keyword (like Void).
- White space is not allowed. (int Code With Harry is invalid)
- Can contain alphabets, $character, _character, and digits if the other conditions are met.
Data Types
Data types in Java fall under the following categories
- Primitive Data Types (Intrinsic)
- Non-Primitive Data Types (Derived)
Primitive Data Types
Java is statically typed, i.e., variables must be declared before use. Java supports 8 primitive data types:
| Data Type | Size | Value Range |
| 1. Byte | 1 byte | -128 to 127 |
| 2. short | 1 byte | -32,768 to 32,767 |
| 3. int | 2 byte | -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647 |
| 4. float | 4 byte | 3.40282347 x 1038 to 1.40239846 x 10-45 |
| 5. long | 8 byte | -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807 |
| 6. double | 8 byte | 1.7976931348623157 x 10308, 4.9406564584124654 x 10-324 |
| 7. char | 2 byte | 0 to 65,535 |
| 8. boolean | Depends on JVM | True or False |
Quick Quiz: Write a Java program to add three numbers,
How to choose data types for our variables
In order to choose the data type, we first need to find the type of
data we want to store. After that, we need to analyze the min & max
value we might use.
How to choose data types for our variables
In order to choose the data type, we first need to find the type of data we want to store. After that, we need to analyze the min & max value we might use.
