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C++ Data Types
course content

Course Content

C++ Data Types

C++ Data Types

1. Introduction
OverviewArithmetic OperationsDivision int and doubleStandard MathSpecifying a Type
2. Numerical Data Types
Overview of Integer TypesApplications of Integer TypesType Modifiers for VariablesWorking with Floating-Point NumbersDouble-Precision Numbers
3. Text Data Type
Character Data TypeString Data TypeAccessing and Manipulating String ElementsCommon String MethodsString Manipulation PracticeSearching Within Strings
4. Other Data Types and Concepts
Boolean Data TypeBoolean ExpressionsVoid Data TypeAutomatic Type DeductionUnsigned Data TypesImplicit Type ConversionExplicit Type Conversion

bookType Modifiers for Variables

The keywords short and long are type modifiers. They are used to modify the size or range of a data type. They don't create new data types but rather alter the properties of existing types.

h

type_modifiers

copy

              
1234567

            
// `short` is used for variables 
// That require smaller range of values.
short int small_range_integer_variable;

// `long` is used for variables
// That require a larger range of values.
long int large_range_integer_variable;

Sometimes, you know that the values will certainly be small. For example, when storing the age of users, the value won't exceed 255. Such values can fit within 8 bits.

cpp

main

copy

              
12345678910

            
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
  	short int small_number = 45;
  	long int large_number = 4000000000;

  	std::cout << "Small number: " << small_number <<std:: endl;  
	std::cout << "Large number: " << large_number << std::endl;
}

What those type modifiers do is change the size of a type. While int takes up 4 bytes, short int takes up 2 bytes, and the long int 8 bytes of memory.

Note

There is a shorter syntax available you can use any of them:

  • short is equivalent to short int;
  • long is equivalent to long int;

So, we need to use long (long int) to store large values. In contrast, we can use short (short int) to take up less memory. However, its range is narrower because of that. Here is the table with ranges that a type can hold:

Task
test

Swipe to show code editor

  1. Change the type of the variables so it can hold a larger number.
  2. Output the result of the expression.

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Section 2. Chapter 3
toggle bottom row

bookType Modifiers for Variables

The keywords short and long are type modifiers. They are used to modify the size or range of a data type. They don't create new data types but rather alter the properties of existing types.

h

type_modifiers

copy

              
1234567

            
// `short` is used for variables 
// That require smaller range of values.
short int small_range_integer_variable;

// `long` is used for variables
// That require a larger range of values.
long int large_range_integer_variable;

Sometimes, you know that the values will certainly be small. For example, when storing the age of users, the value won't exceed 255. Such values can fit within 8 bits.

cpp

main

copy

              
12345678910

            
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
  	short int small_number = 45;
  	long int large_number = 4000000000;

  	std::cout << "Small number: " << small_number <<std:: endl;  
	std::cout << "Large number: " << large_number << std::endl;
}

What those type modifiers do is change the size of a type. While int takes up 4 bytes, short int takes up 2 bytes, and the long int 8 bytes of memory.

Note

There is a shorter syntax available you can use any of them:

  • short is equivalent to short int;
  • long is equivalent to long int;

So, we need to use long (long int) to store large values. In contrast, we can use short (short int) to take up less memory. However, its range is narrower because of that. Here is the table with ranges that a type can hold:

Task
test

Swipe to show code editor

  1. Change the type of the variables so it can hold a larger number.
  2. Output the result of the expression.

Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 2. Chapter 3
toggle bottom row

bookType Modifiers for Variables

The keywords short and long are type modifiers. They are used to modify the size or range of a data type. They don't create new data types but rather alter the properties of existing types.

h

type_modifiers

copy

              
1234567

            
// `short` is used for variables 
// That require smaller range of values.
short int small_range_integer_variable;

// `long` is used for variables
// That require a larger range of values.
long int large_range_integer_variable;

Sometimes, you know that the values will certainly be small. For example, when storing the age of users, the value won't exceed 255. Such values can fit within 8 bits.

cpp

main

copy

              
12345678910

            
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
  	short int small_number = 45;
  	long int large_number = 4000000000;

  	std::cout << "Small number: " << small_number <<std:: endl;  
	std::cout << "Large number: " << large_number << std::endl;
}

What those type modifiers do is change the size of a type. While int takes up 4 bytes, short int takes up 2 bytes, and the long int 8 bytes of memory.

Note

There is a shorter syntax available you can use any of them:

  • short is equivalent to short int;
  • long is equivalent to long int;

So, we need to use long (long int) to store large values. In contrast, we can use short (short int) to take up less memory. However, its range is narrower because of that. Here is the table with ranges that a type can hold:

Task
test

Swipe to show code editor

  1. Change the type of the variables so it can hold a larger number.
  2. Output the result of the expression.

Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

The keywords short and long are type modifiers. They are used to modify the size or range of a data type. They don't create new data types but rather alter the properties of existing types.

h

type_modifiers

copy

              
1234567

            
// `short` is used for variables 
// That require smaller range of values.
short int small_range_integer_variable;

// `long` is used for variables
// That require a larger range of values.
long int large_range_integer_variable;

Sometimes, you know that the values will certainly be small. For example, when storing the age of users, the value won't exceed 255. Such values can fit within 8 bits.

cpp

main

copy

              
12345678910

            
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
  	short int small_number = 45;
  	long int large_number = 4000000000;

  	std::cout << "Small number: " << small_number <<std:: endl;  
	std::cout << "Large number: " << large_number << std::endl;
}

What those type modifiers do is change the size of a type. While int takes up 4 bytes, short int takes up 2 bytes, and the long int 8 bytes of memory.

Note

There is a shorter syntax available you can use any of them:

  • short is equivalent to short int;
  • long is equivalent to long int;

So, we need to use long (long int) to store large values. In contrast, we can use short (short int) to take up less memory. However, its range is narrower because of that. Here is the table with ranges that a type can hold:

Task
test

Swipe to show code editor

  1. Change the type of the variables so it can hold a larger number.
  2. Output the result of the expression.

Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
Section 2. Chapter 3
Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
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