Java Comments
Comments in any programming language are ignored by the compiler or the interpreter. A
comment is a part of the coding file that the programmer does not want to execute; rather, the
programmer uses it to either explain a block of code or to avoid the execution of a specific part of
code while testing.
There are two types of comments:
• Single-line comment
• Multi-line comment
A. Single Line Comments:
To write a single-line comment, just add a // at the start of the line.
Example:
public class Details {
public static void main(String[] args) {
// This is a single line comment
[Link]("Hello World!!!");
Output:
Hello World!!!
B. Multi Line Comments:
To write a multi-line comment, just add a /*...*/ at the start and end of the comment block.
Example:
public class Details {
public static void main(String[] args) {
/* This
* is
*a
* Multiline
* Comment
*/
[Link]("Hello World!!!");
Output:
Hello World!!!
Java Data Types
There are two forms of datatypes in Java:
• Primitive data type
• Non-Primitive data type
• bool: Boolean data type consists of true and false values.
• char: char datatype is used to store characters.
• byte: The main purpose of byte is to save memory and consists of values in the range -128
to 127.
• short: Consists of values in the range -32768 to 32767.
• int: Consists of values in the range -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647.
• long: Consists of values in the range -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to
9,223,372,036,854,775,807.
• float: Can be used to deal with decimal numbers. Always recommended to use float rather
than double because float saves memory.
• double: Can be used to deal with decimal numbers.
Data Type Size Range
bool 1 bit true, false
char 2 byte a…z, A…Z
byte 1 byte -27 to 27-1 (-128 to 127)
short 2 byte -215 to 215-1 (-32768 to 32767)
int 4 byte -231 to 231-1 (-2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647)
-263 to 263-1 (-9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to
long 8 byte
9,223,372,036,854,775,807)
float 4 byte 6.022f
double 8 byte 3.142
Java Variables
Variables are containers that store information that can be manipulated and referenced later by the
programmer within the code. Java variables have a data type associated with them which can tell
us about the size and layout of the variable’s memory.
Syntax:
datatype variable = value
There are three types of variables in Java:
• Local variable
• Instance variable
• Class/Static variable
A. Local Variables:
A variable that is declared inside the body of the method or constructor is called a local variable. It
is called so because the extent of a local variable lies only within the method or constructor within
which it is created and other methods in the class cannot access it.
Inside the method body, a local variable is declared using the static keyword.
Example:
public class variableType {
public void localVariable() {
String name = "Ben";
int marks = 95;
[Link](name + " Scored " + marks + "%.");
public static void main(String[] args) {
variableType vt = new variableType();
[Link]();
Output:
Ben Scored 95%.
If it is accessed outside the method or constructor within which it is created, then it gives an
error.
Example:
public class variableType {
public void localVariable() {
String name = "Ben";
int marks = 95;
public void notLocalVariable() {
[Link](name + " Scored " + marks + "%.");
public static void main(String[] args) {
variableType vt = new variableType();
[Link]();
Output:
name cannot be resolved to a variablemarks cannot be resolved to a variable
B. Instance Variables:
An instance variable is declared inside the class but outside a method or a constructor. It is similar
to a static variable except that it is declared without using the keyword static. These variables are
accessible by all methods or constructors that are inside the class.
Example:
public class variableType {
public String name = "Ben";
public int marks = 95;
public void instanceVariable() {
[Link](name + " Scored " + marks + "%.");
public static void main(String[] args) {
variableType vt = new variableType();
[Link]();
Output: Ben Scored 95%.
C. Class/Static Variables:
A static variable is declared inside the class but outside a method or a constructor. It is similar to an
instance variable except that it is declared using the keyword static. These variables are accessible
by all methods or constructors that are inside the class.
Example:
public class variableType {
public static String name;
public static int marks;
public static void main(String[] args) {
name = "Ben";
marks = 95;
[Link](name + " Scored " + marks + "%.");
Output:
Ben Scored 95%.
If a variable is not declared static then it gives an error.
Example:
public class variableType {
public String name;
public int marks;
public static void main(String[] args) {
name = "Ben";
marks = 95;
[Link](name + " Scored " + marks + "%.");
Output:
Cannot make a static reference to a non-static field
Parishkar College of Global Excellence (Autonomous)
BCA V Sem
Minor - Java programming
Comment, Data Types, Variables
Name: __________________________________ ID: _______________ Date: ________________
Part 1: Java Comments
1. What is the main purpose of comments in programming?
2. List the two types of comments in Java.
a) _________________________
b) _________________________
3. How do you create a single-line comment in Java? Provide an example.
4. How do you create a multi-line comment in Java? Provide an example.
5. True or False: Comments are executed by the compiler or interpreter.
Part 2: Java Data Types
1. What are the two main forms of data types in Java?
a) _________________________
b) _________________________
2. Categorize the following data types as either Primitive or Non-Primitive:
• int: _________________________ • Array: _________________________
• String: _________________________ • boolean: _________________________
• char: _________________________ • Classes: ________________________
3. Fill in the Blanks with the correct data type:
• To store true or false values, use the _________ data type.
• To store a single character, use the _________ data type.
• For saving memory with integer values between -128 and 127, use the _________ data type.
• For large whole numbers up to
263−1, use the _________ data type.
• When dealing with decimal numbers and needing to save memory, it's recommended to use the
_________ data type over double.
4. Match the data type to its size (according to the lecture):
Data Type Size (in bytes/bits) Data Type Size (in bytes/bits)
char long
int float
byte double
boolean short
Choices: 1 bit , 1 byte , 2 bytes , 4 bytes , 8 bytes
Part 3: Java Variables
1. What is the purpose of variables in Java programming?
2. What is the general syntax for declaring and initializing a variable in Java?
3. List the three types of variables in Java.
a) _________________________
b) _________________________
c) _________________________
4. Define a Local Variable. Where can it be accessed?
5. Consider the following code snippet. Why does the [Link] line in notLocalVariable()
cause an error?
public class variableType {
public void localVariable() {
String name = "Ben";
int marks = 95;
}
public void notLocalVariable() {
[Link](name + " Scored " + marks + "%."); // This line causes an error
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
variableType vt = new variableType();
[Link]();
}
}
Explanation:
6. Define an Instance Variable. Where is it declared and by which methods can it be accessed?
7. Define a Class/Static Variable. How is it declared differently from an instance variable, and where can
it be accessed?
8. What happens if you try to access a non-static variable directly from a static main method without an
object instance?