Data Type
Data Type
byte 0 1 byte
short 0 2 byte
int 0 4 byte
long 0L 8 byte
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.
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.
The int data type is generally used as a default data type for integral values unless if there
is no problem about memory.
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.
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.
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.