Data types in c give you abilities to choose exact data type of variable for your operation. The type of a variable determines how much space it occupies in storage and how the bit pattern stored is interpreted.

The Data types in C can be classified as follows −

The array types and structure types are referred collectively as the aggregate types but the basic difference is that array is a collection of homogeneous data type and structure is a collection of the heterogeneous data type. The type of a function specifies the type of the function’s return value. Pointer and other Data types will be discussed in the upcoming post.

Integer Types

The following table provides the details of standard integer types with their storage sizes and value ranges −

To get the exact size of a type or a variable on a particular platform, you can use the sizeof operator. The expressions sizeof(type) field the storage size of the object or type in bytes. Given below is an example to get the size of int type on any machine −

#include<stdio.h>
#include<limits.h>

 main()
{

   printf("Storage size for int : %d \n",sizeof(int));
   
   return 0;
}

When you compile and execute the above program, it produces the following result on Linux −

Storage size for int : 4

Floating-Point Types

The following table provides the details of standard floating-point data types with storage sizes and value ranges and their precision −

The header file float.h defines macros that allow you to use these values and other details about the binary representation of real numbers in your programs. The following example prints the storage space taken by a float type and its range values −

#include <stdio.h>
#include <float.h>
int main()
{
     printf("Storage size for float : %d \n", sizeof(float));
     printf("Minimum float positive value: %E\n", FLT_MIN );
     printf("Maximum float positive value: %E\n", FLT_MAX );
     printf("Precision value: %d\n", FLT_DIG );
     return 0;
}

When you compile and execute the above program, it produces the following result on Linux −

Storage size for float : 4
Minimum float positive value: 1.175494E-38
Maximum float positive value: 3.402823E+38
Precision value: 6

The void Data Type

The void Data type specifies that no value is available. It is used in three kinds of situations −

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Subroto Mondal

Chief Coordinator HR&CR

I like Programming and New Technologies. And work with Linux.

Latest posts by Subroto Mondal (see all)

• Installing and Configuring OpenShift: A Step-by-Step Guide for Linux Experts with Terminal Code - February 19, 2023
• Sed Command in Linux with Practical Examples - February 19, 2023
• Rsync Command uses with examples - February 19, 2023