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Data Types in C Language
C data types are defined as the data storage format that a variable can store a data to perform a specific operation.
Data types are used to define a variable before to use in a program. Size of variable, constant and array are determined by data types.
There are four data types in C language. They are,
S.no Types Data Types
1 ABasic data types int, char, float, double
2 Enumeration data type enum
3 Derived data type pointer, array, structure, union
4 Void data type void
1. Basic data types in C :

The basic data types are integer-based and floating-point based. C language supports both signed and unsigned literals.

Integer Types : Integers are whole numbers with a range of variables supported by a particular machine.

Floating Point Data type : Floating Point numbers are stored with 6 digits of precision. Those are defined with keyword float. When the accuracy is not sufficient then the data type double can be used. Double gives a precession of 14 digits these known as double precession numbers. Still for a better process we can use long double which uses 80 bits.

Data Types

The memory size of basic data types may change according to 32 or 64 bit operating system.

Let's see the basic data types. It size is given according to 32 bit OS.

Data Types Memory Size Range
char 1 byte −128 to 127
signed char 1 byte −128 to 127
unsigned char 1 byte 0 to 255
int 2 byte −32,768 to 32,767
signed int 2 byte −32,768 to 32,767
unsigned int 2 byte 0 to 65,535
short int 2 byte −32,768 to 32,767
signed short int 2 byte −32,768 to 32,767
unsigned short int 2 byte 0 to 65,535
long int 4 byte -2147483648 to 2147483647
signed long int 4 byte -2147483648 to 2147483647
unsigned long int 4 byte O to 42949667295
float 4 byte 3.4e-38 to 3.4 e+ 38
double 8 byte 1.7e – 308 to 1.7e+308
long double 10 byte 3.4e – 4932 to 3.4e+4932
2. Enumeration data type in C :

Enumeration data type consists of named integer constants as a list.

It start with 0 (zero) by default and value is incremented by 1 for the sequential identifiers in the list.

  Enum syntax in C :
enum identifier [optional {enumerator-list}];
  Example :
enum month {Jan, Feb, Mar};
(or)
enum month { Jan = 1, Feb, Mar };
3. Derived data types in C :

Those data types which are derived from fundamental data types are called derived data types.

There are basically three derived data types.

1. Array : A finite collection of data of same types or homogenous data type.

2. String : An array of character type.

3. Structure : A collection of related variables same or different data types.

4. Void data type in C:

  Void is an empty data type that has no value.

  This can be used in functions and pointers.