C++ Data Type
In C++, data types specify the type and size of values that can be stored in variables. C++ provides a variety of built-in data types, each serving a different purpose. Here are some commonly used data types in C++:
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Integer Types:
- int: Used for storing whole numbers (e.g., -5, 0, 10).
- short: Used for smaller integer values.
- long: Used for larger integer values.
- long long: Used for very large integer values (introduced in C++11).
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Floating-Point Types:
- float: Used for representing floating-point numbers with single precision.
- double: Used for representing floating-point numbers with double precision.
- long double: Used for representing floating-point numbers with extended precision.
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Character Types:
- char: Used for storing individual characters (e.g., 'A', 'b', '@').
- char16_t: Used for storing Unicode characters (introduced in C++11).
- char32_t: Used for storing Unicode characters (introduced in C++11).
- wchar_t: Used for storing wide characters.
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Boolean Type:
- bool: Used for storing boolean values (true or false).
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Void Type:
- void: Used to indicate the absence of a value. It is often used as a return type for functions that do not return a value.
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Derived Types:
- Arrays: Used for storing a fixed-size sequence of elements of the same type.
- Pointers: Used for storing memory addresses of other variables or objects.
- References: Used as aliases for other variables.
- Enumerations: Used for defining named constant values.
- Structures: Used for grouping related variables under a single name.
- Classes: Used for creating user-defined types with data and member functions.
Additionally, C++ provides type modifiers, such as signed, unsigned, and const, which can be used to modify the properties of the base data types.
It is important to choose the appropriate data type based on the requirements of your program to ensure efficient memory usage and accurate representation of data.