This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by M R Tuhin
Whether you're starting with C or brushing up your knowledge, understanding data types is foundational. Here's your quick yet deep dive into C Data Typesโall in one shot! ๐ก
๐ What are Data Types in C?
Data types in C tell the compiler what kind of data a variable will store (e.g., integers, characters, floating points). They're essential for memory management, type checking, and operations.
๐ธ Type Modifiers
C provides modifiers to adjust the size/range of base types:
short int // Smaller integer
long int // Larger integer
unsigned int // Only positive
signed int // Includes negative
๐งช Example:
unsigned int age = 25;
short int temp = -30;
long int population = 1000000;
๐ Enumeration (enum)
Used to define a set of named constants.
enum week {Mon, Tue, Wed};
๐ก Tips
Always choose the smallest data type that fits your needs.
Use sizeof() to check memory usage.
Prefer unsigned when negative values are not needed for optimization.
๐ Example Code
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int age = 20;
float gpa = 3.75;
char grade = 'A';
const int MAX = 100;
printf("Age: %d\n", age);
printf("GPA: %.2f\n", gpa);
printf("Grade: %c\n", grade);
printf("Max value: %d\n", MAX);
return 0;
}
โ
Final Words
Understanding data types helps you write efficient, safe, and fast programs in C. Keep practicing by using different types in small programs.
Got a question? Drop it in the comments! Happy Coding! ๐ฅ
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by M R Tuhin

M R Tuhin | Sciencx (2025-07-12T13:46:35+00:00) ๐ง C Programming Data Types โ One Shot Guide for Developers ๐. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/07/12/%f0%9f%a7%a0-c-programming-data-types-one-shot-guide-for-developers-%f0%9f%9a%80/
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