Boolean Byte, Sbyte Char Chr Decimal Double Integer Integer.Parse Math.Abs Math.Max, Math.Min Math.Round Math.Sqrt Mod Random Structure Val

Numbers

In VB.NET, we use various number types. Numbers are a foundational type throughout programs. And most commonly, we use Integer.

They are copied on assignment. Their data is stored (represented) within the variables themselves. And numbers do not use heap allocation like objects.

Integer

The Integer type is used throughout every program. Number types vary in size. Some use more memory—these represent larger, smaller or more detailed numbers.

Detail Each numeric type—Byte, Short, Integer, Long—has a different maximum value. This is the highest value the type can represent.

Here In this program, we display the maximum values for Byte, Short, Integer and Long types.

Module Module1
    Sub Main()
        Dim a As Byte = Byte.MaxValue
        Dim b As Short = Short.MaxValue
        Dim c As Integer = Integer.MaxValue
        Dim d As Long = Long.MaxValue

        Console.WriteLine(a)
        Console.WriteLine(b)
        Console.WriteLine(c)
        Console.WriteLine(d)
    End Sub
End Module255
32767
2147483647
9223372036854775807

Unsigned

There are unsigned types available. These omit the sign bit, so they can store a larger maximum value than the equivalent signed types.

Detail We see the MaxValue of UInteger, ULong and UShort. The maximum of ULong is 20 digits.

Module Module1
    Sub Main()
        ' Demonstrate some unsigned types.
        Dim value1 As UInteger = UInteger.MaxValue
        Dim value2 As ULong = ULong.MaxValue
        Dim value3 As UShort = UShort.MaxValue

        Console.WriteLine(value1)
        Console.WriteLine(value2)
        Console.WriteLine(value3)
    End Sub
End Module4294967295
18446744073709551615
65535

Types

An Integer is four bytes. This is often the fastest type for local variables in methods. It does not handle decimal values. A double is 8 bytes. A byte is just one.

Detail The Decimal type contains 16 bytes, making it four times the size of an Integer.

Detail The Random class generates unpredictable integers. We optionally specify a minimum and maximum.

A character is a value, similar to an Integer or UShort. The Char type represents a character. Certain functions such as Chr, Val and Asc also handle character values.

Tip The String Class extensively uses Char values. Each String internally contains Chars.

A Boolean value represents true or false, yes or no. It is represented by one byte in this language. It can be used in an If-statement or While-loop.

Math

This class handles mathematical computations. It computes absolute values, maximums, minimums, square roots. The class is reliable and tested.

Tip Reusing the Math type leads to clearer code. Implementing mathematical functions is a burden.

Numbers like Integer are everywhere in VB.NET. With related types (Boolean, Char) we are also using numbers. Values may be modified and converted.