CONSTANTS
A constant is an entity that doesn’t change whereas a variable is an entity that may change.
Types of C Constants
C constants can be divided into two major categories: (a) Primary Constants
(b) Secondary Constants
Rules for Constructing Integer Constants
(a) An integer constant must have at least one digit. (b) It must not have a decimal point.
(c) It can be either positive or negative.
(d) If no sign precedes an integer constant it is assumed to be positive. (e) No commas or blanks are allowed within an integer constant.
(f) The allowable range for integer constants is -32768 to 32767.
Truly speaking the range of an Integer constant depends upon the compiler. For a 16-bit compiler like Turbo C or Turbo C++ the range is –32768 to 32767. For a 32-bit compiler the range would be even greater. Question like what exactly do you mean by a 16-bit or a 32-bit compiler, what range of an Integer constant has to do with the type of compiler and such questions are discussed in detail in Chapter 16. Till that time it would be assumed that we are working with a 16-bit compiler.
Ex.: 426
+782
-8000
-7605
Rules for Constructing Real Constants
Real constants are often called Floating Point constants. The real constants could be written in two forms—Fractional form and Exponential form.
Following rules must be observed while constructing real constants expressed in fractional form: (a)A real constant must have at least one digit.
(b)It must have a decimal point.
(c)It could be either positive or negative. (d)Default sign is positive.
(e)No commas or blanks are allowed within a real constant. Ex.: +325.34
426.0
-32.76
-48.5792
The exponential form of representation of real constants is usually used if the value of the constant is either too small or too large. It however doesn’t restrict us in any way from using exponential form of representation for other real constants.
Rules for Constructing Character Constants
A character constant is a single alphabet, a single digit or a single special symbol enclosed within single inverted commas. Both the inverted commas should point to the left. For example, ’A’ is a valid character constant whereas ‘A’ is not.
The maximum length of a character constant can be 1 character. Ex.: 'A'
'I'
'5'
'='
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