C: Input, Variables, and Data Types - Data Types

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There are four basic data types in C. They are Int, Char, Float, and Double.

Data Type: Int

This data type is used to store integers (whole numbers). They are usually 32 bits, though at this point I wouldn't concern myself with that. Variables of this type can hold values ranging from -2147483648 to 2147483647. Here is an example of how you would declare an int variable and store data in it:

int weight = 320;

Data Type: Char

This data type stores a single letter, number, or special character. You can also use the ASCII character set, but again, we won't be discussing that here; just know for now that the option is available. Here is a sample of a program using a char variable:

#include <stdio.h>

 

int main ()

{

char lyric1;

char lyric2;

char lyric3;

lyric1 = 'A';

lyric2 = 'B';

lyric3 = 'C';

 

printf("It's easy as %c%c%c ", lyric1,lyric2,lyric3);

 

return(0);

}

Data Type: Float

This data type is used for floating point values. To work, float literals must have a suffix of either f or F, as in: 3.26852f or 2.0F. Note that the float only stores single-precision floating point numbers.

Data Type: Double

This data type is very similar to the float, except that it allows you to store double-precision floating point numbers. It takes up 8 bytes typically and does not require the f or F as a suffix: 9.1298273646552717, 2.0, 3.098e+23 are all valid. If you use a number without a decimal, it will be interpreted as an int instead.

Next: Data Type Modifiers >>
 

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