long to short java

After knowing primitive data types and Java rules of Data Type Casting (Type Conversion), let us cast long to short as an example.

The long takes 8 bytes of memory and short takes 2 bytes of memory. Assigning 8 bytes of memory to 2 bytes of memory requires explicit casting. It is like not possible to pour bigger bottle water into a smaller bottle.

byte –> short –> int –> long –> float –> double

The left-side value can be assigned to any right-side value and is done implicitly. The reverse like long to short requires explicit casting.

Examples of implicit casting

short x = 10; // 2 bytes
int y = x; // 2 bytes to 4 bytes

byte x = 10; // 1 byte
int y = x; // 1 byte to 4 bytes

Following program on long to short explains explicit casting. Observe, Java style syntax where long is type explicitlly converted to short.

public class Conversions
{
  public static void main(String args[])
  {
    long l1 = 10;            // 8 bytes
    // short s1 = l1;        // error, 8 bytes long to 2 bytes short
          
    short s1 = (short) l1;   // 8 bytes long is type converted to 2 bytes short
    
    System.out.println("long value: " + l1);               // prints 10
    System.out.println("Converted short value: " + s1);    // prints 10
  }
}

Output screenshot of long to short Java

short s1 = l1;

The above statement raises a compilation error "possible loss of precision" as 8 bytes value is assigned to 2 bytes and requires explicit casting.

short s1 = (short) l1;

The long l1 is explicitly type casted to short s1. Observe, the syntax of explicit casting. On both sides, it should be short. This is known as narrowing conversion.

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