Simple Data Types in C#: A Beginner’s Guide

As a C# developer, understanding the different simple data types in C# and when to use them is crucial for writing efficient and maintainable code. I’ve been trying to spend more time this year putting together some content aimed at really introductory level programming. There’s plenty of resources available online, but I want to do my part to ensure I can help break down some of the barriers for people getting started on their programming journey.

In this beginner’s guide, we will look at the basics of the most commonly used simple data types in C#, including int, float, double, byte, char, bool, and string. We will also look at how these data types differ from each other and when to use them in your C# programming!

Integer Data Types

The most commonly used integer data types in C# are int and long. An int is a 32-bit integer that can store whole numbers between -2,147,483,648 and 2,147,483,647. A long is a 64-bit integer that can store whole numbers between -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 and 9,223,372,036,854,775,807. You’ll notice that as the name suggests, these types can only support integers so there’s no decimal places in the numbers! It’s also important to note that a long takes up twice as much storage as an int.

Here’s an example of using the int data type:

int x = 10;
int y = 20;
int z = x + y;
Console.WriteLine(z); // Output: 30

In this example, we declared three variables x, y, and z of type int and assigned values to them. We then used the + operator to add the values of x and y and store the result in z. We then print out the result which is our sum between these two integers x and y.

Floating Point Data Types

The most commonly used floating point data types in C# are float and double. A float is a 32-bit floating point number that can store decimal numbers with a precision of 7 digits. A double is a 64-bit floating point number that can store decimal numbers with a precision of 15-16 digits. Unlike the integer based types we saw above, these numbers do support decimals. Like the integer types above, we have several variations here that provide more accuracy and range at the cost of more size to store the data. A double is twice the size of a float. Double. Twice. Get it?

Here’s an example of using the double data type:

double x = 10.5;
double y = 20.3;
double z = x + y;
Console.WriteLine(z); // Output: 30.8

In this example, we declared three variables x, y, and z of type double and assigned values to them. We then used the + operator to add the values of x and y and store the result in z.

Byte Data Type

The byte data type in C# is an 8-bit unsigned integer that can store whole numbers between 0 and 255. It is commonly used to in a slightly more advanced structure called an Array to represent things such as file contents and other data.

Here’s an example of using the byte data type:

byte age = 30;
byte numberOfImages = 10;
byte totalSize = age + numberOfImages;
Console.WriteLine(totalSize); // Output: 40

In this example, we declared three variables age, numberOfImages, and totalSize of type byte and assigned values to them. We then used the + operator to add the values of age and numberOfImages and store the result in totalSize.

It’s important to note that since byte is an unsigned integer the result of any operation that would result in a negative number will wrap around to a positive number. For example, the following code:

byte x = 250;
byte y = 20;
byte z = (byte)(y - x);
Console.WriteLine(z); // Output: 26

Here, the subtraction of x from y would have resulted in -230 which is not possible in byte data type, so it wraps around to 26. Try it out here!

Decoding Character Data Type

The char data type in C# is used to store a single character, such as a letter, number, or symbol. A data type that often gets confused with the char data type is called byte. It’s outside the scope of this article, but

Here’s an example of using the char data type:

char x = 'A';
char y = 'B';
Console.WriteLine(x); // Output: 'A'
Console.WriteLine(y); // Output: 'B'

In this example, we declared two variables x and y of type char and assigned values to them. We then printed the values of x and y to the console.

Analyzing Boolean Data Type

The boolean data type in C# is bool and can store only two possible values: true or false. A great way to think about a boolean is the result of yes or no decisions. If you need to compare things (like checking if numbers are the same, greater than, or less than) then you can store the result in a bool.

Here’s an example of using the bool data type:

bool isTrue = true;
bool isFalse = 10 < 5;
Console.WriteLine(isTrue); // Output: true
Console.WriteLine(isFalse); // Output: false

In this example, we declared two variables isTrue and isFalse of type bool and assigned values to them. We then printed the values of isTrue and isFalse to the console and we could see the direct assignment of true and the calculated example of false get printed. That’s because 10 is not less than 5, so the result is false. See it in action!

String Data Type

The string data type in C# is string. A string can store a sequence of characters (remember that char data type we were looking at?) , such as a word or a sentence. From a beginners perspective, perhaps the most simple way to think about strings are containing data that is easily human readable. While this isn’t a requirement of a string, when you’re getting started it might help to think of it that way!

Here’s an example of using the string data type:

string firstName = "John";
string lastName = "Doe";
string fullName = firstName + " " + lastName;
Console.WriteLine(fullName); // Output: "John Doe"

In this example, we declared three variables firstName, lastName, and fullName of type string and assigned values to them. We then used the + operator to concatenate the values of firstName and lastName with a space in between and store the result in fullName.

Choosing the Right Data Types in C#

When choosing a data type for your variables, it is important to consider the specific needs of your application. If you need to store whole numbers, you should use an integer data type like int or long. If you need to store numbers with decimal places, you should use a floating point data type like float or double. If you need to store a single character, you should use the char data type or a string data type if you need to store a sequence of them. If you need to store a true or false value, you should use the bool data type.

Wrapping Up Simple Data Types in C#

In conclusion, understanding the different simple data types in C# and when to use them is crucial for writing efficient and maintainable code. By understanding the characteristics and limitations of each data type, you will be able to make informed decisions about how to design and implement your C# applications. Remember to choose the right data type for your specific needs, and always keep in mind the difference in memory and precision.

By mastering the simple data types in C#, you can take your coding skills to the next level and start building more complex data structures! Maybe structs and classes are the next thing for you to read up on 🙂

Nick Cosentino Principal Software Engineering Manager

Principal Software Engineering Manager at Microsoft. Views are my own.

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