Data Type Default Value Default size
Boolean false 1 bit
char '\u0000' 2 byte
byte 0 1 byte
short 0 2 byte
int 0 4 byte
long 0L 8 byte
float 0.0f 4 byte
double 0.0d 8 byte
Boolean Data Type
The Boolean data type is used to store only two possible values: true and false. This data
type is used for simple flags that track true/false conditions.
The Boolean data type specifies one bit of information, but its "size" can't be defined
precisely.
Example: Boolean one = false
Byte Data Type
The byte data type is an example of primitive data type. It is an 8-bit signed two's
complement integer. Its value-range lies between -128 to 127 (inclusive). Its minimum
value is -128 and maximum value is 127. Its default value is 0.
The byte data type is used to save memory in large arrays where the memory savings is
most required. It saves space because a byte is 4 times smaller than an integer. It can also
be used in place of "int" data type.
Example: byte a = 10, byte b = -20
Short Data Type
The short data type is a 16-bit signed two's complement integer. Its value-range lies
between -32,768 to 32,767 (inclusive). Its minimum value is -32,768 and maximum value
is 32,767. Its default value is 0.
The short data type can also be used to save memory just like byte data type. A short data
type is 2 times smaller than an integer.
Example: short s = 10000, short r = -5000
Int Data Type
The int data type is a 32-bit signed two's complement integer. Its value-range lies between
- 2,147,483,648 (-2^31) to 2,147,483,647 (2^31 -1) (inclusive). Its minimum value is -
2,147,483,648and maximum value is 2,147,483,647. Its default value is 0.
The int data type is generally used as a default data type for integral values unless if there
is no problem about memory.
Example: int a = 100000, int b = -200000
Long Data Type
The long data type is a 64-bit two's complement integer. Its value-range lies between -
9,223,372,036,854,775,808(-2^63) to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807(2^63 -1)(inclusive). Its
minimum value is - 9,223,372,036,854,775,808and maximum value is
9,223,372,036,854,775,807. Its default value is 0. The long data type is used when you
need a range of values more than those provided by int.
Example: long a = 100000L, long b = -200000L
Float Data Type
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":
The float data type is a single-precision 32-bit IEEE 754 floating point.Its value range is
unlimited. It is recommended to use a float (instead of double) if you need to save memory
in large arrays of floating point numbers. The float data type should never be used for
precise values, such as currency. Its default value is 0.0F.
Example: float f1 = 234.5f
Double Data Type
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":
The double data type is a double-precision 64-bit IEEE 754 floating point. Its value range is
unlimited. The double data type is generally used for decimal values just like float. The
double data type also should never be used for precise values, such as currency. Its default
value is 0.0d.
Example: double d1 = 12.3
Char Data Type
The char data type is a single 16-bit Unicode character. Its value-range lies between
'\u0000' (or 0) to '\uffff' (or 65,535 inclusive).The char data type is used to store
characters.
Example: char letterA = 'A'
Why char uses 2 byte in java and what is \u0000?
It is because java uses Unicode system not ASCII code system. The \u0000 is the lowest
range of Unicode system.
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 (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.
