C++ char Keyword

The char keyword in C++ is used to declare variables that store a single character. It represents a data type that typically requires 1 byte of memory and is capable of storing 256 different values, including both printable and non-printable characters. Characters are enclosed in single quotes (' '), and the underlying type of a char is an integer, which means it can also store ASCII values.

The char data type is essential for handling text, characters, and working with strings in C++.

Syntax

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char variable_name = 'character';
char
The keyword used to declare a character variable.
variable_name
The name of the variable to store the character.
character
A single character or its corresponding ASCII value enclosed in single quotes (' ').

Examples

Example 1: Declaring and Printing a Character

This example demonstrates how to declare a char variable and print its value.

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#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    char ch = 'A'; // Declare a char variable
    cout << "The character is: " << ch << endl;
    return 0;
}

Output:

The character is: A

Explanation:

  1. The char variable ch is declared and initialized with the character 'A'.
  2. The cout statement prints the value of ch to the console.

Example 2: Storing and Printing ASCII Values

This example demonstrates how char variables can store and print ASCII values.

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#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    char ch = 65; // ASCII value for 'A'
    cout << "The character for ASCII 65 is: " << ch << endl;
    return 0;
}

Output:

The character for ASCII 65 is: A

Explanation:

  1. The char variable ch is initialized with the ASCII value 65.
  2. When printed, ch displays the character corresponding to ASCII 65, which is 'A'.

Example 3: Character Arithmetic

This example shows how arithmetic operations can be performed on char variables.

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#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    char ch = 'A';
    ch = ch + 1; // Increment character
    cout << "The next character is: " << ch << endl;
    return 0;
}

Output:

The next character is: B

Explanation:

  1. The char variable ch is initialized with 'A'.
  2. The statement ch = ch + 1 increments the ASCII value of 'A' by 1, resulting in 'B'.
  3. The updated value of ch is printed, displaying 'B'.

Example 4: Working with Escape Sequences

This example demonstrates the use of special characters and escape sequences in char variables.

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#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    char newline = '\n'; // Newline escape sequence
    char tab = '\t';     // Tab escape sequence

    cout << "Hello," << newline << tab << "World!" << endl;
    return 0;
}

Output:

Hello,
        World!

Explanation:

  1. The char variable newline stores the newline escape sequence '\n'.
  2. The tab variable stores the tab escape sequence '\t'.
  3. The program uses these variables to format the output, introducing a line break and a tab space between “Hello,” and “World!”.

Key Points about char Keyword

  1. The char keyword declares variables that store single characters or their ASCII values.
  2. Characters must be enclosed in single quotes (' ').
  3. The char data type can store both printable and non-printable characters, including escape sequences.
  4. Arithmetic operations on char variables manipulate their ASCII values.
  5. char is integral to working with strings, formatting, and character-based operations in C++.