What are Data Types in C?
Data Types in C represent the type of data used in a programming language to process logic.
We represent data by defining a data type for the associated variable. For Example, instead of ‘a’, we write int a. Here, ‘int’ is a data type for the associated variable ‘a’.
Types of Data Types in C:
Data types are categorized on the basis of kind of data a variable can store. For instance, the primitive data type lets one know whether the associated variable is an integer, float, or character, etc.,
There are two kinds of data types in C programming language.
Firstly, basic data types or primitive data types.
Secondly, user-defined data types.
Primitive Data Type in C:
Primitive Data Types in C are basic data types that can store only a single data type, such as integers, floats, and characters.
Primitive data are already known to the compiler. They are known to the compiler in two aspects,
First, the size of the memory
and, second, the range of values.
The data types in C programming are divided based on their value.
- boolean
- byte
- char
In numbers data type, there are different data types, they include
- long
- int
- short
- float
- double
Boolean Data Type:
Boolean in C represents true or false.
Byte Data Type:
Byte Data type represents 256 characters.
Char Data Type:
Char data type in C stores characters.
Int Data Type in C:
For Example, the ‘Int” data type can store only integer values.
Float Data Type in C:
The float data type stores floating decimal values. Float has four bytes. Three bytes are for the mantissa part, and one byte is for the decimal part, known as single precision.
Double Data Type in C:
It also stores floating decimal values, but the range is more comprehensive for the double data type. The double data type has eight bytes: six bytes for the mantissa part and two bytes for the decimal part, which is known as double precision.
Except for boolean and char, primitive data types, including byte, long, int, and short, are again categorized into signed and unsigned. Signed data types contain negative and positive symbols, while unsigned data types have all values as positive.
Unsigned int in C:
It is also a data type but does not contain a sign, i.e., negative or positive. Hence, all values are positive in unsigned int in C.
Enum in C Language:
Enum in C programming is a collection of constants. For Example, if we specify the months of a year or days of a week, we cannot change their names or the total number. The number of months is twelve, and the number of days is seven.
C Programming Struct:
It is a user-defined data type.
Data Types and Sizes in C:
- boolean – 1 byte
- byte – 1 byte
- char – 1 byte
- long – 8 bytes
- int – 2 or 4 bytes
- Short – 2 bytes
- float – 4 bytes
- double – 8 bytes
User-Defined Data Type in C:
Array and structure are examples of user defined data types.
C Programming Language Data Types: An Overview
A) Data types in C, such as ‘int’ for integers, ‘float’ for floating-point numbers, and ‘char’ for characters, indicate the data stored in the variable. It enables the computer to understand the type of data it needs to process.
For instance, consider a variable ‘grade.’ The variable declaration can take two forms: firstly, it might hold a number like the class in number (7), or secondly, a word like ‘seventh.’ Here, data types are not just a technicality. They play a crucial role in distinguishing such options and ensuring accurate data processing based on the kind of data a particular variable will hold, emphasizing the precision and importance of data types in programming.
B) Data type in C programming are used along with functions or variables.
In C programming, declaring a variable is not just a formality. It’s a crucial step where the programmer informs the compiler about the type of data it must process during program execution. For Example, if x is the variable to be declared, the programmer must declare it in ‘int x’ or ‘float x’ format instead of just’ x.’
Moreover, in the context of c programming, the variable declaration containing data type is essential. It is a crucial instruction that helps the compiler understand the data it must process during program execution.