Quick reference: Java data
types and operators
Commonly used data types and operators in Java
In this lesson you learned about the most important data types and operators in Java
and also got some practical experience in declaring and initializing them. But there are
many other data types that you will use in Java going forward. This reading serves as a
quick reference to the list of commonly used data types and operators in Java. Keep
this handy list close at hand to speed up your coding.
Notice that the table below includes a column that indicates the bit size for each data
type, representing how much memory each type occupies and how much data it can
hold. In programming, efficient memory usage is crucial, as everything in your program
consumes memory space. Understanding the bit size helps you choose the appropriate
data type based on the required range and memory constraints, ensuring optimal
performance and resource management.
Data Description Size Number Range Defau
type (Bits lt
) Value
byte 8-bit signed integer. 8 -128 to 127 0
Normally used when
memory storage is a
concern, as it only takes
up 8 bits.
short 16-bit signed integer. 16 -32,768 to 32,767 0
Can save memory
compared to int when
you need a larger range
Data Description Size Number Range Defau
type (Bits lt
) Value
than byte.
int 32-bit signed integer. 32 −2,147,483,648 to 0
Commonly used as the 2,147,483,647
default data type for
integral values.
long 64-bit signed integer. 64 −9,223,372,036,854, 0L
Used when a wider range 775,808 to
than int is needed. 9,223,372,036,854,7
75,807
float Single-precision 32-bit 32 Approximately 0.0f
floating point. Used ±3.40282347E+38F
mainly for saving memory (6-7 significant
in large arrays of floating decimal digits)
point numbers.
double Double-precision 64-bit 64 Approximately 0.0d
IE floating point. Default ±1.79769313486231
data type for decimal 570E+308 (15
values. significant decimal
digits)
char A single 16-bit Unicode 16 Any single keyboard
character. character
boolean Represents one bit of 1 true or false false
Data Description Size Number Range Defau
type (Bits lt
) Value
information, but its "size"
is not precisely defined.
String Used to store text values Uses memory as
required
Commonly used operators in Java
Operat Title Description Example Example
or stateme result
nt
+ Addition Addition operator for 5 + 3 8
operator numeric values and
"Hello " "Hello
concatenation
+ "World" World"
operator for String
values
- Subtraction Subtracts numbers 10 - 4 6
operator for
numeric
values
* Multiplication Multiplies numbers 7 * 2 14
operator for
numeric
values
Operat Title Description Example Example
or stateme result
nt
/ Division Divide numbers 20 / 4 5
operator for
21/4.0 Because an
numeric
operation
values
between an
integer value
and an integer
always results
in an integer.
5.25
Because in an
operation
when at least
one of the
values has a
decimal point,
it results in a
decimal.
% Modulus Returns the 10 % 3 1
operator for remainder of the
numeric division
values
++ Increment Increases the value int number will
operator of a variable by 1 number = be 6 but x will
5; int x be 5
Increments the value = number+
of the variable by 1 number will
+;
and then be 6 and x will
Operat Title Description Example Example
or stateme result
nt
uses/assigns it int be 6
number =
5; int x
= +
+number;
_ _ Decrement Decreases the value int number will
operator of a variable by 1 number = be 4 But x will
5; be 5
Decrements the
number will
current value of the int x =
be 4 And x
variable by 1 and number --
will also be 4
then uses/assigns it ;
int
number =
5; int x
= --
number;
= Assignment Assigns a value to a int
operator variable number =
10
+= Addition Adds the right int 8
assignment operand to the left number =
Because
operator operand and assigns 5;
number +=
the result to the left 3;
number +=
operand
3; This is the
same as
Operat Title Description Example Example
or stateme result
nt
writing:
number =
number + 3;
-= Subtraction Subtracts the right int 3
assignment operand from the left number =
Because
operator operand and assigns 5;
number -=
the result to the left
number -= 2;
operand
2;
is the same as
writing:
number =
number - 2;
*= Multiplication Multiplies the right int 10
assignment operand with the left number =
Because
operator operand and assigns 5;
number *=
the result to the left
number *= 2;
operand.
2;
is the same as
writing:
number =
number * 2;
/= Division Divides the left int 2
assignment operand by the right number =
Because
operator operand and assigns 5;
number /=
the result to the left
number /= 2;
operand
2;
is the same as
writing:
Operat Title Description Example Example
or stateme result
nt
number =
number / 2;
%= Modulus Takes modulus int 2
assignment using two operands number =
Because
operator and assigns the 5;
result to the left number %=
number %=
operand 3;
3;
is the same as
writing:
number =
number % 3;
== Equal to Checks if the values 5 == 5 true
operator of two operands are
equal and returns a
boolean value
!= Not equal to Checks if the values 5 != 3 true
operator of two operands are
not equal and
returns a boolean
value
> Greater than Checks if the value 6 > 4 true
operator of the left operand is
greater than the
value of the right
Operat Title Description Example Example
or stateme result
nt
operand and returns
a boolean value
< Less than Checks if the value 3 < 5 true
operator of the left operand is
less than the value
of the right operand
and returns a
boolean value
>= Greater than Checks if the value 7 >= 7 true
or equal to of the left operand is
operator greater than or equal
to the value of the
right operand and
returns a boolean
value
<= Less than or Checks if the value 8 <= 10 true
equal to of the left operand is
operator less than or equal to
the value of the right
operand and returns
a boolean value
&& Logical AND Returns true if both (5 > 3) true
operator operands are true && (8 >
5)
Operat Title Description Example Example
or stateme result
nt
|| Logical OR Returns true if any of (5 > 8)|| true
operator the operands is true (8 > 5)
! Logical NOT Reverses the logical !(5 > 3) false
operator state of its operand
Conclusion
Understanding how Java allocates memory for different types of variables is
fundamental to writing efficient and performant applications so that you do not allocate
more memory than required, or allocate memory less than your requirement. You can
manage memory effectively by choosing the right data types, being mindful of memory
overhead, and leveraging Java’s garbage collection. Remember that every variable and
object you create consumes memory, so always strive for efficient memory usage to
keep your applications running smoothly.
Understanding how the operators work is the key to guiding you in choosing the correct
operator for a desired operation with a certain desired outcome. The wrong operator
could possibly result in an undesired result.
So, feel free to revisit the tables above, understand the concepts, and keep them in
mind before moving on to the next item.
