What is the Difference Between int and long?

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The main difference between int and long data types lies in their size, range, and memory requirements. Here is a comparison between the two:

  • Size: An int is a 32-bit integer, while a long is a 64-bit integer.
  • Range: The range of an int in Java is between -2,147,483,648 and 2,147,483,647. The range of a long in Java is much larger, between -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 and 9,223,372,036,854,775,807.
  • Memory Requirements: An int requires 4 bytes (32 bits) of memory, while a long requires 8 bytes (64 bits) of memory.

In general, you should choose the appropriate data type based on the range of numeric values you expect to work with. If the range of values is within the scope of an int (32 bits), it is more efficient to use an int due to its lower memory requirements. However, if the range of values requires a larger data type, such as a long (64 bits), you should use a long to avoid unexpected behavior or data loss.

Comparative Table: int vs long

The main difference between int and long data types lies in their size, range, and memory requirements. Here is a table summarizing the differences between int and long in Java:

Property int long
Memory required 4 bytes (32 bits) 8 bytes (64 bits)
Range -2^31 to 2^31 - 1 (-2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647) -2^63 to 2^63 - 1 (-9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807)
Default Value 0 0L

In Java, the int data type is the most commonly used type for numeric values and is a signed 32-bit integer, while the long data type is less frequently used and is a signed 64-bit integer. The int data type requires 4 bytes of memory and has a range of -2^31 to 2^31 - 1, while the long data type requires 8 bytes of memory and has a range of -2^63 to 2^63 - 1.