Unlock the Secrets of Java Type Conversion
When working with Java, understanding how to convert between data types is crucial. In this article, we’ll explore three examples of converting int to char, a fundamental concept in Java programming.
The Power of Typecasting
In our first example, we’ll use typecasting to convert an int type variable into a char type variable. Take a look at the code:
int num1 = 80;
int num2 = 81;
char char1 = (char) num1;
char char2 = (char) num2;
Notice how we’re using typecasting to convert the int values into char values. But what’s happening behind the scenes? The int values are being treated as ASCII values, which is why we get the characters ‘P’ and ‘Q’ as output, corresponding to the ASCII values 80 and 81, respectively.
The forDigit() Method: A Hidden Gem
Did you know that you can also use the forDigit() method of the Character class to convert an int type variable into a char type? Let’s see how it works:
int num = 10;
char charVal = Character.forDigit(num, 10);
In this example, we’re using the forDigit() method to convert the int value into a char value. The radix value of 10 indicates that we’re working with decimal numbers. But what about hexadecimal numbers? Simply change the radix value to 16, and you’re good to go!
The Simple yet Effective ‘0’ Trick
In Java, there’s a clever way to convert an int into a char by adding the character ‘0’ to it. Here’s how it works:
int num = 1;
char charVal = (char) (num + '0');
Notice how we’re adding the character ‘0’ to the int value. This works because the ASCII value of ‘0’ is 48, which gets added to the int value. The result is the ASCII value of the corresponding digit, which is then converted into a char value.
Remember, this trick only works for int values between 0 and 9. But it’s a handy technique to have up your sleeve when working with Java type conversions.