In C, the language itself does not determine the representation of certain datatypes. It can vary from machine to machine, on embedded systems the int can be 16 bit wide, though usually it is 32 bit.

The only requirement is that short int <= int <= long int by size. Also, there is a recommendation that int should represent the native capacity of the processor.

All types are signed. The unsigned modifier allows you to use the highest bit as part of the value (otherwise it is reserved for the sign bit).

Here's a short table of the possible values for the possible data types:

          width                     minimum                         maximum
signed    8 bit                        -128                            +127
signed   16 bit                     -32 768                         +32 767
signed   32 bit              -2 147 483 648                  +2 147 483 647
signed   64 bit  -9 223 372 036 854 775 808      +9 223 372 036 854 775 807
unsigned  8 bit                           0                            +255
unsigned 16 bit                           0                         +65 535
unsigned 32 bit                           0                  +4 294 967 295
unsigned 64 bit                           0     +18 446 744 073 709 551 615

In Java, the Java Language Specification determines the representation of the data types.

The order is: byte 8 bits, short 16 bits, int 32 bits, long 64 bits. All of these types are signed, there are no unsigned versions. However, bit manipulations treat the numbers as they were unsigned (that is, handling all bits correctly).

The character data type char is 16 bits wide, unsigned, and holds characters using UTF-16 encoding (however, it is possible to assign a char an arbitrary unsigned 16 bit integer that represents an invalid character codepoint)

          width                     minimum                         maximum

SIGNED
byte:     8 bit                        -128                            +127
short:   16 bit                     -32 768                         +32 767
int:     32 bit              -2 147 483 648                  +2 147 483 647
long:    64 bit  -9 223 372 036 854 775 808      +9 223 372 036 854 775 807

UNSIGNED
char     16 bit                           0                         +65 535
Answer from gaborsch on Stack Overflow
🌐
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › java › integer-max_value-and-integer-min_value-in-java-with-examples
Integer.MAX_VALUE and Integer.MIN_VALUE in Java with Examples - GeeksforGeeks
July 12, 2025 - Example 2: Trying to initialize ... + " Integer.MAX_VALUE + 1"); // Try to store value Integer.MAX_VALUE + 1 int N = Integer.MAX_VALUE + 1; // Print the value of N System.out.println("N = " + N); } catch (Exception e) { ...
Top answer
1 of 11
450

In C, the language itself does not determine the representation of certain datatypes. It can vary from machine to machine, on embedded systems the int can be 16 bit wide, though usually it is 32 bit.

The only requirement is that short int <= int <= long int by size. Also, there is a recommendation that int should represent the native capacity of the processor.

All types are signed. The unsigned modifier allows you to use the highest bit as part of the value (otherwise it is reserved for the sign bit).

Here's a short table of the possible values for the possible data types:

          width                     minimum                         maximum
signed    8 bit                        -128                            +127
signed   16 bit                     -32 768                         +32 767
signed   32 bit              -2 147 483 648                  +2 147 483 647
signed   64 bit  -9 223 372 036 854 775 808      +9 223 372 036 854 775 807
unsigned  8 bit                           0                            +255
unsigned 16 bit                           0                         +65 535
unsigned 32 bit                           0                  +4 294 967 295
unsigned 64 bit                           0     +18 446 744 073 709 551 615

In Java, the Java Language Specification determines the representation of the data types.

The order is: byte 8 bits, short 16 bits, int 32 bits, long 64 bits. All of these types are signed, there are no unsigned versions. However, bit manipulations treat the numbers as they were unsigned (that is, handling all bits correctly).

The character data type char is 16 bits wide, unsigned, and holds characters using UTF-16 encoding (however, it is possible to assign a char an arbitrary unsigned 16 bit integer that represents an invalid character codepoint)

          width                     minimum                         maximum

SIGNED
byte:     8 bit                        -128                            +127
short:   16 bit                     -32 768                         +32 767
int:     32 bit              -2 147 483 648                  +2 147 483 647
long:    64 bit  -9 223 372 036 854 775 808      +9 223 372 036 854 775 807

UNSIGNED
char     16 bit                           0                         +65 535
2 of 11
84

In C, the integer(for 32 bit machine) is 32 bit and it ranges from -32768 to +32767.

Wrong. 32-bit signed integer in 2's complement representation has the range -231 to 231-1 which is equal to -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647.

Discussions

Beginner here; please help with explaining why Integer.MAX_VALUE and Integer.MIN_VALUE is assigned as values in this code.
Think of only one, you are looking for the lowest number in an array, you take the first number and compare it to your minValue, if it is smaller you choose that as new minValue and try the next. If you start minValue as the absolute MIN_VALUE, it will never find a smaller number in your array. SO you should start minValue as higher as possible and maxValue as lover. (Or you can just initiate them as the first number in your array) More on reddit.com
🌐 r/learnjava
3
0
July 4, 2022
data structures - Integer.MAX_VALUE in java - Stack Overflow
I have read about MAX_VALUE and found that a constant can hold a maximum value of 2^31-1. Where is the need to use a MAX_VALUE for any program? I am also confused on this piece of stack code, whe... More on stackoverflow.com
🌐 stackoverflow.com
Why Integer.MAX_VALUE + Integer.MAX_VALUE result in -2?
First off Integer.MIN_VALUE is -(231) and not 231 Integer.MAX_VALUE = 231 -1 = 2147483647. If we do the addition in binary we get: 1111111111111111111111111111111 +1111111111111111111111111111111 11111111111111111111111111111110 Which is -2 in decimal. As far as I remember the 32nd bit being 1 indicates that the number is negative. The binary representation of 231 - 1 takes 31 bits, the 32nd bit being 0. The operation of MAX_VALUE + MAX_VALUE overflows and makes the 32nd bit 1. To look at it another way.... Integer.MAX_VALUE + 1 = Integer.MIN_VALUE so Integer.MAX_VALUE + Integer.MAX_VALUE + 1 = Integer.MIN_VALUE + Integer.MAX_VALUE which implies Integer.MAX_VALUE + Integer.MAX_VALUE = Integer.MIN_VALUE + Integer.MAX_VALUE - 1 = -(231) + (231 -1) -1 = -(231) + (231) -1 -1 = -2 More on reddit.com
🌐 r/java
8
0
May 16, 2013
int INF = (int) 1e9 vs Integer.MAX_VALUE in java
The problem with Integer.MAX_VALUE is that it is right at the overflow limit. So if you're not thinking you might end up with something as bad as this: if (number > Integer.MAX_VALUE) throw new RuntimeException("Invalid variable"); Some people prefer a "safer" number like 1e9 to make sure they dont even have to worry about overflows. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/javahelp
6
1
April 19, 2016
🌐
Oracle
docs.oracle.com › javase › 8 › docs › api › java › lang › Integer.html
Integer (Java Platform SE 8 )
October 20, 2025 - Adds two integers together as per the + operator. ... Returns the greater of two int values as if by calling Math.max. ... Returns the smaller of two int values as if by calling Math.min. ... Java™ Platform Standard Ed.
🌐
CodeGym
codegym.cc › java blog › java numbers › integer max_value in java with examples
Integer MAX_VALUE in Java with Examples
December 10, 2024 - The Integer MAX_VALUE in Java is a constant that represents the maximum positive integer value. Integer.MAX_VALUE is a number in the Java Integer сlass of java.lang package. It is the maximum possible Integer number that can be represented in 32 bits...
🌐
LeetCode
leetcode.com › problems › sliding-window-maximum
Sliding Window Maximum - LeetCode
Can you solve this real interview question? Sliding Window Maximum - You are given an array of integers nums, there is a sliding window of size k which is moving from the very left of the array to the very right. You can only see the k numbers in the window. Each time the sliding window moves ...
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnjava › beginner here; please help with explaining why integer.max_value and integer.min_value is assigned as values in this code.
r/learnjava on Reddit: Beginner here; please help with explaining why Integer.MAX_VALUE and Integer.MIN_VALUE is assigned as values in this code.
July 4, 2022 -

I was searching for a way to find the min and max value within a number of integers and I came across this code:

Scanner in = new Scanner(System.in);

int maxNum = Integer.MIN_VALUE;
int minNum = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
while (scanner.hasNextInt()) {
  int num = scanner.nextInt();
  maxNum = Math.max(maxNum, num);
  minNum = Math.min(minNum, num);
}

System.out.println("The maximum number: " + maxNum);
System.out.println("The minimum number: " + minNum);

I am struggling to wrap my mind around Integer.MAX_VALUE and Integer.MIN_VALUE. Why are they assigned as values and how does it work with the Math. min & max methods. Why is the variable maxNum assigned the value Integer.MIN_VALUE and minNum assigned the value Integer.MAX_VALUE?

Thanks.

Top answer
1 of 3
3
Think of only one, you are looking for the lowest number in an array, you take the first number and compare it to your minValue, if it is smaller you choose that as new minValue and try the next. If you start minValue as the absolute MIN_VALUE, it will never find a smaller number in your array. SO you should start minValue as higher as possible and maxValue as lover. (Or you can just initiate them as the first number in your array)
2 of 3
1
Please ensure that: Your code is properly formatted as code block - see the sidebar (About on mobile) for instructions You include any and all error messages in full - best also formatted as code block You ask clear questions You demonstrate effort in solving your question/problem - plain posting your assignments is forbidden (and such posts will be removed) as is asking for or giving solutions. If any of the above points is not met, your post can and will be removed without further warning. Code is to be formatted as code block (old reddit/markdown editor: empty line before the code, each code line indented by 4 spaces, new reddit: https://imgur.com/a/fgoFFis ) or linked via an external code hoster, like pastebin.com, github gist, github, bitbucket, gitlab, etc. Please, do not use triple backticks (```) as they will only render properly on new reddit, not on old reddit. Code blocks look like this: public class HelloWorld { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println("Hello World!"); } } You do not need to repost unless your post has been removed by a moderator. Just use the edit function of reddit to make sure your post complies with the above. If your post has remained in violation of these rules for a prolonged period of time (at least an hour), a moderator may remove it at their discretion. In this case, they will comment with an explanation on why it has been removed, and you will be required to resubmit the entire post following the proper procedures. To potential helpers Please, do not help if any of the above points are not met, rather report the post. We are trying to improve the quality of posts here. In helping people who can't be bothered to comply with the above points, you are doing the community a disservice. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Find elsewhere
🌐
Oreate AI
oreateai.com › blog › understanding-the-maximum-size-of-an-integer-in-java › 16bc01a7d17dcf86a09812c2df551f0c
Understanding the Maximum Size of an Integer in Java - Oreate AI Blog
December 19, 2025 - The maximum size of an integer in Java is defined by a constant known as MAX_VALUE. This constant represents the largest positive value that can be stored within an int variable: 2,147,483,647 (or 0x7FFFFFFF in hexadecimal).
🌐
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Double-precision_floating-point_format
Double-precision floating-point format - Wikipedia
January 9, 2026 - Conversely, for the previous range from 251 to 252, the spacing is 0.5, etc. The spacing as a fraction of the numbers in the range from 2n to 2n+1 is 2n−52. The maximum relative rounding ...
🌐
MDN Web Docs
developer.mozilla.org › en-US › docs › Web › JavaScript › Reference › Global_Objects › Math › random
Math.random() - JavaScript | MDN
Usually, the claimed upper bound is not attainable, but if Math.random() returns a number very close to 1, the tiny difference may not be representable at the requested maximum, therefore causing the upper bound to be attained. ... This example returns a random number between the specified values.
🌐
JanBask Training
janbasktraining.com › community › java › max-value-of-integer
max value of integer | JanBask Training Community
April 1, 2025 - Overflow Issues – Exceeding the max value can cause unexpected behavior in some languages. Performance Considerations – Larger numbers consume more memory and processing power. Choosing the Right Type – Always select a data type that fits your needs without wasting resources. If you’re working with numbers beyond these limits, consider using BigInt (JavaScript), BigInteger (Java), or arbitrary precision integers ...
🌐
Runestone Academy
runestone.academy › ns › books › published › apcsareview › VariableBasics › minAndMax.html
3.7. Integer Min and Max — AP CSA Java Review - Obsolete
Why is there one more negative number than positive number? It is because 0 is considered a positive number. What do the last two lines print out? Did this surprise you? Java will actually return the maximum integer value if you try to subtract one from the minimum value.
🌐
Educative
educative.io › answers › what-is-integermaxvalue
What is Integer.MAX_VALUE?
Integer.MAX_VALUE represents the maximum positive integer value that can be represented in 32 bits (i.e., 2147483647). This means that no number of type Integer that is greater than 2147483647 can exist in Java.
🌐
TutorialsPoint
tutorialspoint.com › integer-max-value-and-integer-min-value-in-java-with-examples
Integer.MAX_VALUE and Integer.MIN_VALUE in Java with Examples
The Integer class of Java provides two constants named Integer.MAX_VALUE and Integer.MIN_VALUE represents the maximum and minimum possible values for an integer variable in Java. The actual value of Integer.MAX_VALUE is 231 -1 which is equivalent to 2147483647 and the actual value of ...
🌐
W3Schools
w3schools.com › cs › cs_data_types.php
W3Schools.com
Integer types stores whole numbers, positive or negative (such as 123 or -456), without decimals. Valid types are int and long. Which type you should use, depends on the numeric value.
🌐
The Rust Programming Language
doc.rust-lang.org › book › ch03-02-data-types.html
Data Types - The Rust Programming Language
When you’re compiling in release mode with the --release flag, Rust does not include checks for integer overflow that cause panics. Instead, if overflow occurs, Rust performs two’s complement wrapping. In short, values greater than the maximum value the type can hold “wrap around” to ...