L5 : Java Variables and Data Types with EXAMPLE
What is a Variable in Java?
o Variable in Java is a data container that stores the data
values during Java program execution.
o Every variable is assigned data type which designates the
type and quantity of value it can hold.
o Variable is a memory location name of the data.
o The Java variables have mainly three types:
Local, Instance and Static.
In order to use a variable in a program you to need to perform
2 steps
1. Variable Declaration
2. Variable Initialization
Variable Declaration:
To declare a variable, you must specify the data type & give
the variable a unique name.
Examples of other Valid Declarations are
int a,b,c;
float pi;
double d;
Dr. Bharti Sharma
L5 : Java Variables and Data Types with EXAMPLE
char a;
Variable Initialization:
To initialize a variable, you must assign it a valid value.
Example of other Valid Initializations are
pi =3.14f;
do =20.22d;
a=’v’;
You can combine variable declaration and initialization.
Example :
int a=2, b=4,c=6;
float pi=3.14f;
double do=20.22d;
Dr. Bharti Sharma
L5 : Java Variables and Data Types with EXAMPLE
char a=’v’;
Types of variables
In Java, there are three types of variables:
1. Local Variables
2. Instance Variables
3. Static Variables
1) Local Variables
Local Variables are a variable that are declared inside the body
of a method.
2) Instance Variables
o Instance variables are defined without the STATIC
keyword.
o They are defined Outside a method declaration.
o They are Object specific and are known as instance
variables.
3) Static Variables
Static variables are initialized only once, at the start of the
program execution. These variables should be initialized first,
before the initialization of any instance variables.
Example: Types of Variables in Java
class Guru99 {
static int a = 1; //static variable
int data = 99; //instance variable
void method() {
int b = 90; //local variable
}
}
Dr. Bharti Sharma
L5 : Java Variables and Data Types with EXAMPLE
What is Data Types in Java?
Data Types in Java are defined as specifiers that allocate
different sizes and types of values that can be stored in the
variable or an identifier. Java has a rich set of data types. Data
types in Java can be divided into two parts :
1. Primitive Data Types :- which include integer,
character, boolean, and float
2. Non-primitive Data Types :- which include classes,
arrays and interfaces.
Primitive Data Types
Primitive Data Types are predefined and available within the
Java language. Primitive values do not share state with other
primitive values.
There are 8 primitive types: byte, short, int, long, char, float,
double, and boolean
Dr. Bharti Sharma
L5 : Java Variables and Data Types with EXAMPLE
Integer data types
byte (1 byte)
short (2 bytes)
int (4 bytes)
long (8 bytes)
Floating Data Type
float (4 bytes)
double (8 bytes)
Textual Data Type
char (2 bytes)
Logical
boolean (1 byte) (true/false)
Java Data Types
Data Type Default Value Default size
byte 0 1 byte
short 0 2 bytes
int 0 4 bytes
long 0L 8 bytes
float 0.0f 4 bytes
double 0.0d 8 bytes
boolean false 1 bit
char ‘\u0000’ 2 bytes
Points to Remember:
All numeric data types are signed(+/-).
The size of data types remain the same on all platforms
(standardized)
char data type in Java is 2 bytes because it
uses UNICODE character set. By virtue of it, Java
Dr. Bharti Sharma
L5 : Java Variables and Data Types with EXAMPLE
supports internationalization. UNICODE is a character set
which covers all known scripts and language in the world
Java Variable Type Conversion & Type Casting
A variable of one type can receive the value of another type.
Here there are 2 cases –
Case 1) Variable of smaller capacity is be assigned to another
variable of bigger capacity.
This process is Automatic, and non-explicit is known
as Conversion
Case 2) Variable of larger capacity is be assigned to another
variable of smaller capacity
In such cases, you have to explicitly specify the type cast
operator. This process is known as Type Casting.
Dr. Bharti Sharma
L5 : Java Variables and Data Types with EXAMPLE
In case, you do not specify a type cast operator; the compiler
gives an error. Since this rule is enforced by the compiler, it
makes the programmer aware that the conversion he is about to
do may cause some loss in data and prevents accidental
losses.
Example: To Understand Type Casting
Step 1) Copy the following code into an editor.
class Demo {
public static void main(String args[]) {
byte x;
int a = 270;
double b = 128.128;
System.out.println("int converted to byte");
x = (byte) a;
System.out.println("a and x " + a + " " + x);
System.out.println("double converted to int");
a = (int) b;
System.out.println("b and a " + b + " " + a);
System.out.println("\ndouble converted to byte");
x = (byte)b;
System.out.println("b and x " + b + " " + x);
}
}
Step 2) Save, Compile & Run the code.
Output:
int converted to byte
a and x 270 14
double converted to int
b and a 128.128 128
double converted to byte
b and x 128.128 -128
Dr. Bharti Sharma
L5 : Java Variables and Data Types with EXAMPLE
Dr. Bharti Sharma
