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Java

Posted by Alexandra F
Alexandra F
1,201 Points

Why the size of Java <int> data type has always been fixed versus to, for instance, the <int> size in C or C++?

There's a number of compiled languages, like C or C++; they are compiled to the machine code. Over time the size of integer in compiled code has changed. However, Java size of integer is fixed. Why?

2 Answers

Seth Kroger
Seth Kroger
56,416 Points

The trouble with int size in C is precisely that is does vary based on compiler/vendor/processor/etc. Without a fixed size, it's difficult to know if the same code will compile correctly on a different system or a different compiler on the same system if some side effect of int's size affects the code (ie, the number is outside the int's range for its size). It's been a source of subtle errors as long as C has been around. Java eliminates that ambiguity by fixing int's size across the language.

Alexandra F
Alexandra F
1,201 Points
Alexandra F
Alexandra F
1,201 Points

Thank you Seth for detailed answer. So in other words, is Java more generic? a compiled Java code depends solely on compiler (JVM) which actually sets the fixed size for <int> (and other data types), versus to C where the size of an int is dependent on compiler/processor/platform where the code is run. Is my understanding somewhat correct? :-) Thank you