Java Data Types - Primitive and Non-Primitive

Data Types in Java

In Java, every variable you use must have a declared type. Data type determines how much memory is allocated and what kind of operations you can perform on that data.

Types of Data Types in Java

Java data types are broadly categorized into two groups:

• Primitive Data Types – Built-in, simple types provided by the Java language
• Non-Primitive Data Types – More complex types derived from classes

1. Primitive Data Types in Java

Java has 8 primitive data types, and each has a specific purpose and memory size.

Type	Size	Default Value	Description
byte	1 byte	0	Useful for saving memory in large arrays
short	2 bytes	0	Shorter-range integers
int	4 bytes	0	Standard integer type
long	8 bytes	0L	Larger-range integers
float	4 bytes	0.0f	Single-precision decimals
double	8 bytes	0.0d	Double-precision decimals
char	2 bytes	'\u0000'	Single character (Unicode)
boolean	~1 bit	false	True or false values

Example: Using Primitive Data Types

public class PrimitiveExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int age = 25;
        double salary = 45600.75;
        char grade = 'A';
        boolean isEmployed = true;

        System.out.println("Age: " + age);
        System.out.println("Salary: " + salary);
        System.out.println("Grade: " + grade);
        System.out.println("Employed: " + isEmployed);
    }
}

Age: 25
Salary: 45600.75
Grade: A
Employed: true

2. Non-Primitive Data Types in Java

Non-primitive types are created by the programmer and can hold multiple values or have behavior. These include:

• String – A sequence of characters
• Arrays – Collection of variables of the same type
• Classes and Interfaces – Blueprint for objects

Example: Working with Strings and Arrays

public class NonPrimitiveExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String name = "Arjun";
        int[] scores = {85, 90, 78};

        System.out.println("Name: " + name);
        System.out.println("Scores:");
        for (int score : scores) {
            System.out.println(score);
        }
    }
}

Name: Arjun
Scores:
85
90
78

Type Verification and Best Practices

Understanding how Java enforces type safety is crucial when working with literals. Java is a statically typed language, meaning types are checked at compile-time, helping catch errors early and ensuring predictability in program behavior.

1. Always match the type with the value:

Java does not allow assigning a float or double literal to an int variable without an explicit cast. This prevents accidental loss of precision or data.

public class TypeMismatch {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // int x = 3.14; // Compile-time error
        int x = (int) 3.14; // Works but loses decimal
        System.out.println(x);
    }
}

3

While casting may resolve the error, it’s usually better to use the right data type from the start to preserve intent and accuracy.

2. Use suffixes:

Java treats numeric literals as int by default for integers and double for decimals. If you intend to use a long or float, suffixes like L or F must be added.

public class SuffixExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        long population = 7800000000L;
        float pi = 3.14159F;
        double gravity = 9.8; // no suffix needed, double is default
        System.out.println(population);
        System.out.println(pi);
        System.out.println(gravity);
    }
}

7800000000
3.14159
9.8

Without the correct suffix, you'll either encounter a compilation error (for long) or a potential precision mismatch (for float).

3. Check for overflow:

Java primitives like byte and short have narrow ranges. Arithmetic operations that exceed their limits will silently wrap around (overflow), leading to unexpected results.

public class OverflowDemo {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        byte b = 127;
        b += 1; // wraps around to -128
        System.out.println(b);
    }
}

-128

For arithmetic-heavy applications, use int or long to avoid such silent overflows.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned developers stumble over these classic pitfalls. Here’s how you can avoid them:

1. Forgetting to initialize variables:

Java enforces definite assignment. Local variables must be explicitly initialized before use—otherwise, the compiler will throw an error.

public class InitError {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int x;
        System.out.println(x);
    }
}

Class-level fields are auto-initialized (e.g. int to 0, boolean to false), but local variables are not.

2. Mixing incompatible types without casting:

Attempting to combine different types (e.g. int with String) or assign a higher precision type to a lower one without casting will lead to compile-time errors.

public class IncompatibleTypes {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        double d = 5.5;
        int i = (int) d; // Explicit cast
        System.out.println(i); // Output: 5
    }
}

5

Use casting carefully as it may lead to data truncation or loss of precision.

3. Misunderstanding == vs .equals() for reference types:

Beginners often confuse these two when comparing strings or objects.

• == checks whether references point to the same object.
• .equals() checks whether the objects have the same content.

public class StringComparison {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String a = new String("hello");
        String b = new String("hello");
        System.out.println(a == b);       // false (different objects)
        System.out.println(a.equals(b));  // true (same content)
    }
}

false
true

When comparing object values, always use .equals() unless you're explicitly checking for reference equality.