As explained in the Variables chapter, a variable in C++ must be a specified data type:
int myNum = 5;
// Integer (whole number) float myFloatNum = 5.99; // Floating point number double myDoubleNum = 9.98; // Floating point number char myLetter = 'D'; // Character bool myBoolean = true; // Boolean string myText = "Hello"; // StringBasic Data Types
The data type specifies the size and type of information the variable will store:
| Data Type | Size | Description |
|---|---|---|
| bool | 1 byte | Stores true or false values |
| char | 1 byte | Stores a single character/letter/number, or ASCII values |
| int | 2 or 4 bytes | Stores whole numbers, without decimals |
| float | 4 bytes | Stores fractional numbers, containing one or more decimals. Sufficient for storing 6-7 decimal digits |
| double | 8 bytes | Stores fractional numbers, containing one or more decimals. Sufficient for storing 15 decimal digits |
You will learn more about the individual data types in the next chapters.