Java long number too large error?

Question

Why do I get an int number is too large where the long is assigned to min and max?

/*
long: The long data type is a 64-bit signed two's complement integer.
It has a minimum value of -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 and a maximum value of         9,223,372,036,854,775,807 (inclusive).
Use this data type when you need a range of values wider than those provided by int.
*/
package Literals;

public class Literal_Long {
     public static void main(String[] args) {
        long a = 1;
        long b = 2;
        long min = -9223372036854775808;
        long max = 9223372036854775807;//Inclusive

        System.out.println(a);
        System.out.println(b);
        System.out.println(a + b);
        System.out.println(min);
        System.out.println(max);
    }
}

You can use Long.MIN_VALUE and Long.MAX_VALUE or 1L << -1 and -1L >>> 1 — Peter Lawrey
– Peter Lawrey, Commented Jan 19, 2012 at 11:12

Suresh Atta · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-25 06:11:14Z

76

All literal numbers in java are by default ints, which has range -2147483648 to 2147483647 inclusive.

Your literals are outside this range, so to make this compile you need to indicate they're long literals (ie suffix with L):

long min = -9223372036854775808L;
long max = 9223372036854775807L;

Note that java supports both uppercase L and lowercase l, but I recommend not using lowercase l because it looks like a 1:

long min = -9223372036854775808l; // confusing: looks like the last digit is a 1
long max = 9223372036854775807l; // confusing: looks like the last digit is a 1

Java Language Specification for the same

An integer literal is of type long if it is suffixed with an ASCII letter L or l (ell); otherwise it is of type int (§4.2.1).

edited Jun 25, 2017 at 6:11

Suresh Atta

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answered Jan 19, 2012 at 11:01

Bohemian♦

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3 Comments

helpermethod Over a year ago

To be pedantic: You could also use a small l.

TC1 Over a year ago

@OliverWeiler I'd say, to be pedantic, you could but shouldn't use a small l 'cause it looks like a 1.

Bladt Over a year ago

It only looks like a 1 if you use a bad font, but sure, why risk the confusion.

Petar Minchev · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-19 11:01:20Z

25

You must use L to say to the compiler that it is a long literal.

long min = -9223372036854775808L;
long max = 9223372036854775807L;//Inclusive

answered Jan 19, 2012 at 11:01

Petar Minchev

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