Data Types in C:

Meaning of data types , their types , characterstics , size ,uses and

examples

SUBMITTED BY- PRIYA VERMA

ROLL NO.- 1230755029

CLASS- BCA(A) FIRST YEAR

Meaning of Data Types
1 Definition 🔍
ata types are the type of data stored in a C program. Data types are used while
defining a variable or functions in C. The compiler needs to understand the type of
predefined data it will encounter in the program. A data type is an attribute that tells
a computer how to interpret the value.

2 Importance 😎
Using appropriate data types makes the program more readable, scalable and
relevant to the problem being solved.

3 Usage 🤓
Data types help to define the memory size required for variables and functions.
Types of Data Types
Integer
Used to represent integer
values. eg: int, short int, long
int etc.
Floating Point Character
Used to represent decimal Used to represent characters.
values. eg: float, double etc. eg: char.

Union Array Pointer

Used to store different types of Used to store a collection of Used to store the memory
data in the same memory elements of the same type. eg: address of another variable. eg:
location. eg: union. int[], char[], etc. int*, char*, etc.

Enum

Used to define a set of named values. eg: enum.

Structure

Used to define a custom data type that can hold multiple values of different types. eg: struct.
Characteristics of Data Types
1 Scope 🎯
Determines the range of values that the data type can store and operate
on. eg: 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit etc.

2 Precision 💻
Determines the accuracy level of the data type. eg: float has better
precision than integer.

3 Signage 🔢
Specifies if a data type can store negative values or not.
Size of Data Types
Unsigned Char 🔍 Int 👓
1 byte, 0 to 255. 2 or 4 bytes, -32768 to 32767 or -2,147,483,648
to 2,147,483,647.

Float 🔍 Double 📊
4 bytes, 1.2E-38 to 3.4E+38. 8 bytes, 2.3E-308 to 1.7E+308.

Array
The size of an array depends on the number of
elements and the size of each element. For
example, an int array of 5 elements will occupy
4 bytes * 5 = 20 bytes of memory.
Pointer
Pointers themselves occupy 4 or 8 bytes of
memory depending on the system
architecture. The size of the data they point to
depends on the data type.

Structure
The size of a structure is the sum of the sizes
of its members. For example, if a structure has
an int member and a float member, it will
occupy 4 bytes for the int and 4 bytes for the
float, totaling 8 bytes.
Union
The size of a union is equal to the size of its
largest member. For example, if a union has an
int member and a float member, it will occupy
4 bytes since int and float are both 4 bytes.

Enum
The size of an enum is implementation-defined. It can vary depending on the number of enum
constants and the underlying data type used by the compiler.
Uses of Data Types

🔢 📝
Optimizing Performing Manipulating

📏
Memory Usage
Choosing appropriate data
types can help optimize
memory usage by reducing
the memory footprint of the
program.
Calculations
Using the correct data types is
essential for performing
accurate calculations and
preventing overflow/underflow
issues.
Text
Data types can be used to
manipulate and process text
data efficiently, such as
reading from and writing to
files.
Examples of Data Types in C

int float char

Used for integers. Example: int Used for decimal values. Used for individual characters.
age = 24; Example: float distance = 10.5; Example: char grade = 'A';
Thank You!