In Java Programs, you are going to work on a series of different data types. However, if you want to work on floating point numbers, only Float Data Type and Double Data Type can be used. To use them properly, you must know the differences in “Float Vs. Double Java”.
The Float Data Type and Double Data Type resemble similar ones when an individual looks at them as their working field is similar. However, many differences are kept inside their working process that you have to understand as a Java Developer.
This article is intended to focus on the basics of Float and Double Data Types along with some key difference that lies between them. So, let us start our discussion.
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Summary or Key Highlights:
In Java, Floating Point Numbers are represented by Float and Double Data Types.
Float and Double data types are both considered as the Primitive Data Type in Java.
The Floating Point Data Type will have the Float Keyword mentioned in the program.
The Double Data Type will have the Double Keyword mentioned in the program.
Both Float and Double have many differences from Range Value to Memory and Space Constraint.
What Is Float Data Type? Read Below
From the word Floating Point Number, we are emphasizing the numeric value where some fractional data is present. That means, that if any arithmetic value has any float precision data or decimal digits, then it will be used to represent floating point numbers.
Such floating point arithmetic values are highly used for scientific calculations in computer science. In the case of the Java float data type, fractional numeric data or decimal digits are present. So, it comes under the floating point number concept.
Let us check one program where the Float Type In Java is developed:
public class Main
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
float zap = 1.5f; // Declaring Float Variable with Some Float Values
}
}
Java float number is considered as the IEEE 754 bit value data type where the size of the bits is 32 bits. By declaring the Java float numbers, the compiler of the program allocates 4 bytes of the memory space in the device. Also, the Java float data type has a special wrapper class available.
What Is Double Data Type? Read Below
After the Float Data Type, it is time to discuss Double in Java. The Double Type is way more similar to the Floating data type. The Double in Java is also used for the numbers where the Fractional Values or decimal digits are involved. The declaration process of Double in Java is also different.
Let us check one program where the Double In Java is developed:
public class Main
{
public static void main(String[] args) {
double one = 5.6; // Double Types Providing Some Double Values
}
}
If you notice these two programs, you will find a simple difference only from the syntax perspective. But, many other differences exist between Float Vs. Double in Java. So, let us move ahead further to understand the key difference.
Comparison Table For Differences Between Double And Floating Point Numbers:
Now, we are going to have the discussion for which you are waiting so long. As all the basics of the Float and Double are being cleared to you, you are now ready to move ahead to understand some of the differences between Float and Double.
For that purpose, let us check the following difference table for Float Vs. Double. In this difference table, we will draw out all the points in which, the Float and Double are creating differences with each other.
After going through the above difference table, we hope the concept is becoming clear to you. However, we will discuss all the points here as well in a descriptive manner as it will provide an extra boost to clarify your knowledge.
Here, not only discuss the points, rather we will use computer languages to practically implement what we are discussing. So, let us check the following points one by one.
1. Differences In Range Value:
There is a difference between the Range Value of the Float and Double Data Type. There are two inbuilt functions present which provide the range of the float and double data type. Using those we can get the range value difference.
Like, the lower range of the Floating Values is 4.9E-324 & the upper range value is 1.797. On the other hand, the lower range of the Double is 1.4E-45 & the upper range value is 3.4. So, there is a difference in the range number. It can be demonstrated with the help of one example.
public class Main
{
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Printing Range Of Double
System.out.println("Range Of Double Data Type From " +Double.MIN_VALUE+ " To "+Double.MAX_VALUE);
System.out.println();
// Printing Large Computations Range In Float
System.out.println("Range Of Float Data Type From " +Float.MIN_VALUE+ " To "+Float.MAX_VALUE);
}
}
Explanation Of The Code:
Inside the program, two print statements have been implemented. These will be used to print the range value of the float and double data type.
Now, two inbuilt functions are used in the program. The MIN_VALUE function will be used to get lower values & the MAX_VALUE will be used to get larger range values.
Output:
From the above output, we can see that the range values are different from Java float and double keyword. So, this can be considered one of the major key differences in Java float vs double.
2. Difference In Double Precision Floating Point:
The Decimal point is developed with the help of the Double Precision Numbers. And there is a difference in Float vs Double regarding the Precision Points.
The double data type holds the Double Precision Number or High Precision & the Single Precision or Lower Precision is used as the Floating Data Type.
In the case of the float variable, there can only be 7 decimal values included. In the case of the double data type, the decimal point can reach up to 15 points which is nearly double the float data type. That is the reason, it is called Higher Precision as well.
public class Main
{
public static void main(String[] args) {
double zap = 5.6 + 5.8; // Adding Two Double Numbers
System.out.println("Double Number Precision Gives: " + zap);
float one = 5.6f + 5.8f; // Adding The Same Two Float Numbers
System.out.println("Float Number Precision Gives: " + one);
}
}
Explanation Of The Code:
Inside the program, two double numbers are added using one variable.
The result will be printed by adding more precision.
Now, the same data will be used in the float variable & will perform the addition operation. The data will again be printed.
Now, there will be a small change in the output.
Output:
From the output, we can see that the double data type is providing the right value after doing addition. While the float data type makes some modifications in the result & provides the rounding-off value. Such difference occurs due to the use of single precision.
3. Difference In Holding Default Data Type Java Condition:
Among Float and double variables, the double is recognized as the default data type inside of the Java program. That means any floating point value will automatically be recognized as the double data type in the Java program.
If you have to identify any floating point arithmetic data as a float data type, you should use one special character. That is the use of โfโ. In the case of the double data type, the character โdโ can be used. But it is optional.
public class Main
{
public static void main(String[] args) {
// No Integer Type Will Be Used
float one = 5.6f; // Providing Some Float Value
one = one + 5.6; // Trying To Add Float & Double
System.out.println("Result: " + one); // Error Occurs
}
}
Explanation Of The Code:
Inside the program, one float data will be declared & some values will be provided there.
Now, we will try to add one fractional data to that variable. It should be noted that we have not used the โfโ character after the data. So, it will be considered as double data.
Now, we will try to print the result in the console.
Output:
The output is giving a Compilation Error because we have tried to implement a possible lossy conversion. That means, either we tried to convert float to double or tried to convert double to float data type. The rounding errors can be done if both Java float data are used for addition.
4. Difference In Wrapper Class:
Both Java Float and Double fall under primitive data types. That means they come with all the library functions in Java. So, there is a presence of the wrapper method in these double float variables. The wrapper method is used to make an object from a function.
The wrapper class of float will be the java. lang. Float & for double is the java. lang.Double. The use of these classes for floating point values is discussed below.
import java.lang.*; // Importing Package For More Accuracy
public class Main {
public static void main(String args[]) {
Float zap = new Float("41.87"); // Using Float Wrapper Method
System.out.println("Data Using Float Wrapper Class: "+ zap); // Printing Data
Double one = new Double("41.87"); // Using Double Wrapper Method
System.out.println("Data Using Double Wrapper Class: "+ one); // Printing Data
}
}
Explanation Of The Code:
Inside the program, one necessary package has been imported to where all the wrapper classes belong
Now, one float object will be declared using the above-mentioned class. And the double object will be created with the same process. To avoid any exceptions or errors that may occur during the conversion process, it is important toย convert an object to an integerย in Java.
Now, both the data will be printed which will provide a decimal value that is required for floating point scientific computations.
Output:
From the output, we can see that the decimal points have been printed on the console. We donโt use any specific characters for printing the decimal digits. Only proper class is used to get the floating point types.
5. Difference In Memory Usage:
Now, Memory Efficiency is another important perspective that we have to consider before wrapping up the discussion. Because, if this point becomes clear to you, the data loss during data compression will become negligible while working on complex projects.
The double consumes twice as much memory as the float can consume. The Float takes 4 bytes of Memory only. And the Double takes 8 bytes of memory. So, the float consumes less memory and less space compared with Double Data Types.
As the double is taking more memory, it will be a disadvantage to use Double in memory-constrained environments.
When To Use Double And Float Data Types?
Till our discussion, the topic should become clear to you. But, before wrapping up the discussion, we would like to shed some light on the fields where the Double and Float can be used. Let us mark some fields where the Float can be used and some fields where Double can be used!
The Float can be used in the Graphical Application Fields. Or the float can be highly used in some simple calculations where the efficiency of memory is needed. As Float takes a very small amount of memory, Graphics and Gaming will be the best domains to use.
On the other hand, the Double can be used for Complex Calculations like Financial Calculations. You have to keep in mind that Double can only be used in such domains where precision is paramount as it consumes large memory.
Conclusion:
As we saw it is very important to understand the differences in the “Float Vs. Double Java” program.
Every student gets confused with the decimal numbers implementation process in Java. Because they donโt know the major differences between the Float & Double in Java. If they understood the concept from the root, there would be no misunderstanding.
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Takeaways:
To work on Decimal Values, the Float Data Type and Double Data Type can be used.
The Float Data Type uses the Special Character “f” to identify any value as a floating value.
The Double Type uses the Special Character “d” to identify any value as a double.
The use of “f” is mandatory, however the use of “d” is optional.
In Bit Size, Precision Type, Range of Decimals, etc. categories, Float and Double have differences.
