Integer

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What Does Integer Mean?

An integer, in the context of computer programming, is a data type used to represent real numbers that do not have fractional values.

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Different types of integer data types are stored on machines in different ways. For example, a short integer in many common programming languages is limited to a range of between 32,767 and -32,768. These limited ranges reveal the relationship between a numerical value as interpreted by humans, and how these values are stored in computer memory.

Techopedia Explains Integer

The use of integers as variables supports programming in various ways. For instance, a common strategy is to create an integer variable and store some value in it that will influence computations or calculations made within the program. Examples include primitive instances of code for counters, amortization schedules, calendars, etc.

Another core use of an integer data type is represented in code loops such as “while” statements. For example, a programmer can set up an integer value named “int” where int=1. Code can include the command “int = int + 1”, which will increase the value incrementally. The programmer can add additional commands for outcomes where the value reaches a certain critical point.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Specialist
Margaret Rouse
Technology Specialist

Margaret is an award-winning writer and educator known for her ability to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles in the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret’s idea of ​​a fun day is to help IT and business professionals to learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.