What is the minimum value of char type?

@Mahesh Dahale • 04 Dec, 2009 What is the minimum value of char type. Select the one correct answer.
a. 0
b. -215
c. -28
d. -215-1

char: The char data type is a single 16-bit Unicode character. It has a minimum value of '\u0000' (or 0) and a maximum value of '\uffff' (or 65,535 inclusive).

@sarveshgupta • 05 Dec, 2009 @Mahesh: char type can also be 8-bit character for C/C++

In Java we have it to be 16 -bit I suppose

Although it will have a minimum value of 0 for both the cases as you have told.

Am I correct?

@rengaraj • 05 Dec, 2009 Sir,
Thanks for your reply.
R.Rengaraj

@pradeep_agrawal • 09 Dec, 2009 In C a variable of type char can also hold a -ve value and the range is from -128 to 127. So the min. value taht a char variable can have in C is -128.

If someone want that char variable hold only positive values in C then he/she need to use "unsigned char" instead of "char" while declaring the variable.

-Pradeep

@sarveshgupta • 09 Dec, 2009 Mr Rengaraj has to confirm the right answer for the question..May be you are right Pradeep

@rengaraj • 09 Dec, 2009 Dear Mahesh,
You quoted 0 to be the answer.
But it is for unsigned char . not for char.

mahesh_dahale

What is the minimum value of char type. Select the one correct answer.
a. 0
b. -215
c. -28
d. -215-1

R.Rengaraj

@rengaraj • 09 Dec, 2009 Dear Pradeep,
You are right, Unsigned Char has a min. value of 0.
While,
Char has a min value of -128.
Excellent discussion.
Thanks to all of you.

pradeep_agrawal

In C a variable of type char can also hold a -ve value and the range is from -128 to 127. So the min. value taht a char variable can have in C is -128.

If someone want that char variable hold only positive values in C then he/she need to use "unsigned char" instead of "char" while declaring the variable.

-Pradeep

R.Rengaraj