Double. This type is an 8-byte numeric type. In C# it is used to store large and small values. It also stores fractional values such as 1.5 and negative values such as -1.5.
Double requires more memory than an int. So when specifying the types of fields, it is best to use int when the number does not require the features of a double.
An example. A double is declared in the same way as an int. You use the double type in the declaration, and can assign it using equals. It offers fractional values.
Tip Its encoding uses 8 bytes, twice the number of bytes in an int. The additional 4 bytes allow more representations in the type.
Next We show that the double is aliased (mapped) to the System.Double struct—the two types are equivalent.
Also The maximum value of a double is expressed in scientific notation—after E we have the power of 308.
using System;
// Use double type.
double number = 1.5;
Console.WriteLine(number);
number = -1; // Can be negative
Console.WriteLine(number);
Console.WriteLine(number == -1); // Can use == operator
Console.WriteLine(number + 100); // Can use + operator
Console.WriteLine(number.GetType());
Console.WriteLine(typeof(double));
Console.WriteLine(double.MinValue);
Console.WriteLine(double.MaxValue);
// Find the memory usage for a double value.
long bytes1 = GC.GetTotalMemory(false);
double[] array = new double[1000 * 1000];
array[0] = 1;
long bytes2 = GC.GetTotalMemory(false);
Console.WriteLine("{0} bytes per double", ((bytes2 - bytes1) / (1000 * 1000)));1.5
-1
True
99
System.Double
System.Double
-1.79769313486232E+308
1.79769313486232E+308
8 bytes per double
Parameters. For developers concerned with performance, double has some drawbacks. When you pass a double as an argument, it is received as a formal parameter.
And This typically requires the bits to be copied into another memory location.
However If you use an int, only 4 bytes will be copied. If you use a double, 8 bytes are copied. The extra copying impacts performance.
Here We pass a double to the Test() method. Each invocation of Test (when inlining does not occur) causes the excess memory copying.
using System;
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
Test(10);
}
static void Test(double value)
{
// When called, 8 bytes are copied for the double.
Console.WriteLine("8 bytes copied: {0}", value);
}
}8 bytes copied: 10
Parse, TryParse. The double.Parse and double.TryParse methods are static—you call them on the "double" type. The double.Parse method throws exceptions, while double.TryParse does not.
Next We see an example that demonstrates the different strings double.Parse methods handle.
Info TryParse() uses the tester-doer pattern. Tester-doer describes methods that see if some action can be done before doing it.
Tip This removes the possibility of a parsing error. Using double.TryParse will enhance performance if you have invalid input.
using System;
//// Usage of double.Parse on various input strings.//
var tests = new string[]
{
"1,000.00", // <-- This is 1000"1.000", // <-- This is 1"0.201", //"00.001", // <-- This is 0.001"-0.01", // <-- This is -0.01"500000000", // <-- Five-hundred million"0.0"// <-- 0
};
foreach (string test in tests)
{
double value = double.Parse(test);
Console.WriteLine(value);
}
//// Usage of double.TryParse on various unusual inputs//
var unusualArray = new string[]
{
"NaN", // <-- This can be parsed."MaxValue", // <-- This fails."NegativeInfinity",
"Programmer",
"0.01-0.02",
" 0"// <-- This succeeds and is 0.
};
foreach (string unusual in unusualArray)
{
double value;
if (double.TryParse(unusual, out value)) // Returns bool
{
Console.WriteLine("Valid: {0}", value);
}
}1000
1
0.201
0.001
-0.01
500000000
0
Valid: NaN
Valid: 0
Notes, parsing. Parse() supports commas, excess decimal places with zeros, excess leading zeros, negative signs, large numbers, zero with a decimal, and spaces surrounding the digits.
Note The Convert.ToDouble method, when called with the string parameter overload, simply calls double.Parse internally after a null check.
Review, parsing. These 2 parsing methods help when you are storing percentages in text files or databases. And for large numbers that are not monetary values, double.Parse is useful.
As a low-level type, double uses 8 bytes of memory. As a value type, it has clear efficiency advantages over any possible object-based replacements.
Dot Net Perls is a collection of tested code examples. Pages are continually updated to stay current, with code correctness a top priority.
Sam Allen is passionate about computer languages. In the past, his work has been recommended by Apple and Microsoft and he has studied computers at a selective university in the United States.
This page was last updated on Jun 2, 2023 (simplify).
