Integer Data Types in C++

Integer Types

The integer type is used for storing whole numbers. We can use signed, unsigned or plain integer values as follows:

signed int index = 41982;

signed int temperature = -32;

unsigned int count = 0;

int height = 100;

int balance = -67;

Like characters, signed integers can hold positive or negative values, and unsigned integers can hold only positive values. However, plain integer can always hold positive or negative values, they're always signed.

You can declare signed and unsigned integer values in a shortened form, without the int keyword:

signed index = 41982;

unsigned count = 0;

Integer values come in three sizes, plain int, short int and long int.

int normal = 1000;

short int smallValue = 100;

long int bigValue = 10000;

The range of values for these types will be defined by your compiler. Typically a plain int can hold a greater range than a short int, a long int can hold a greater range than a plain int, although this may not always be true. What we can be sure of is that plain int will be at least as big as short int and may be greater, and long int will be at least as big as plain int and may be greater. A short integer is guaranteed to be at least 16 bits and a long integer at least 32 bits.

You can declare short and long integer values in a shortened form, without the int keyword:

shortsmallValue = 100;

longbigValue = 10000;

You can have long and short signed and unsigned integers, for example:

unsigned long bigPositiveValue = 12345;

signed short smallSignedValue= -7;