How do I choose among fundamental integer and floating-point types in C++?

Choosing the appropriate fundamental integer and floating-point types in C++ is crucial for optimizing performance and memory usage. The fundamental types include different sizes and signedness, which can help in selecting the right type for your needs.

Fundamental Integer Types

C++ provides several integer types, including:

  • int: Typically at least 16 bits. Size can vary based on the system.
  • short: Minimum of 16 bits.
  • long: Minimum of 32 bits.
  • long long: Minimum of 64 bits.
  • unsigned: Variants of the above types that only represent non-negative values.

Fundamental Floating-Point Types

Floating-point types are used for representing real numbers with decimals. The primary types include:

  • float: Typically 32 bits, suitable for single-precision calculations.
  • double: Usually 64 bits, providing double-precision floating-point representation.
  • long double: Can vary in size, usually offering more precision than double.

Examples of Choosing Types

Here’s a simple example to illustrate how to choose appropriate types:

#include int main() { int age = 25; // integer for age float height = 5.9; // float for height in meters double weight = 70.5; // double for weight for a higher precision std::cout << "Age: " << age << ", Height: " << height << "m, Weight: " << weight << "kg" << std::endl; return 0; }

fundamental types C++ integer types C++ floating-point types choosing types in C++

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