Type 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.

type_modifiers


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// `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.

main


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#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

Swipe to start coding

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

Solution

solution

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Section 2. Chapter 3

Type Modifiers for Variables

type_modifiers


              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.

main


              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;

Task

Swipe to start coding

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

Solution

solution

Switch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below

Everything was clear?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 2. Chapter 3

Switch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below