Primitive Data Types

In Java, data types are divided into two main categories: primitive and reference types. This topic focuses on the eight primitive types, which are the most basic data types available in the language. They are not objects and store the actual binary value for the data they represent directly in memory. This makes them highly efficient. The integer types are used for whole numbers. They include `byte` (8-bit), `short` (16-bit), `int` (32-bit), and `long` (64-bit). The choice of which to use depends on the range of values you need to store; using a smaller type like `byte` when possible can save memory. The floating-point types are used for numbers with a fractional part. They are `float` (32-bit, single-precision) and `double` (64-bit, double-precision). `double` is the default and generally preferred choice for its higher precision unless memory is a significant concern. The `char` type (16-bit) is used to store a single Unicode character, such as 'A' or '$'. Finally, the `boolean` type represents a logical value and can only be `true` or `false`. It is the foundation of all conditional logic in Java. Understanding the size and range of each primitive type is crucial for writing memory-efficient and correct code, as choosing the wrong type can lead to data overflow or loss of precision. These eight types form the bedrock for all data manipulation in Java.