Can assign integer value to char but can't assign integer variable to char

Question

Why doesn't the following code compile

int n = 5;
char c = n;

but the following does compile

char c = 5;

Aren't I just assigning an integer value to char in both cases?

But this works, char c = (char) 5; Note that the range of int is much greater than that of char, and so assigning an int to a char is not guaranteed to be legit. — Hovercraft Full Of Eels
– Hovercraft Full Of Eels, Commented Oct 19, 2014 at 1:58
Oh, that makes sense. So it only comes down to the discrepancy between char- and int ranges? — Kermit the Hermit
– Kermit the Hermit, Commented Oct 19, 2014 at 2:00
My guess would be that char is a 16bit but int is a 32 bit . So when assigning 5 to char it fits in 16 bits so it's cool but int clearly is to large. Reference docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/nutsandbolts/… — DotNetRussell
– DotNetRussell, Commented Oct 19, 2014 at 2:00
Integer.MAX_VALUE is 7fffffff, while a char can go up to '\uFFFF' — Hovercraft Full Of Eels
– Hovercraft Full Of Eels, Commented Oct 19, 2014 at 2:01
@Victor2748 The question you referred is different. He is pointing other thing. — afzalex
– afzalex, Commented Oct 19, 2014 at 2:02

Elliott Frisch · Accepted Answer · 2014-10-19 02:03:24Z

9

A char can be assigned to an int without a cast because that is a widening conversion. To do the reverse, an int to a char requires a cast because it is a narrowing conversion.

See also JLS. Chapter 5. Conversions and Promotions.

answered Oct 19, 2014 at 2:03

Elliott Frisch

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Tetramputechture · Accepted Answer · 2014-10-19 02:02:48Z

6

His question is why his code does not compile, not how to do what he's trying to do.

The reason the line

char c = n

does not compile, is because the range of char (-2^15 to 2^15 - 1) is much smaller than the range of int (-2^31 to 2^31 - 1). The compiler sees you are trying to assign an int to a char, and stops you, because it realizes this.

answered Oct 19, 2014 at 2:02

Tetramputechture

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