Data Types

A data type defines what kind of data a variable can hold. Getting the type right is what keeps memory usage, calculations, and output formatting correct.

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
  int items = 5;
  double distance = 12.7564;
  char initial = 'T';

  printf("Items: %d
", items);
  printf("Distance: %.3lf km
", distance);
  printf("Initial: %c", initial);
  return 0;
}

int holds a whole number, double holds a decimal number with higher precision than float, and char holds a single character.

Items: 5 Distance: 12.756 km Initial: T