Java™ How to Program, Seventh Edition

3.6. Primitive Types vs. Reference Types

Data types in Java are divided into two categories—primitive types and reference types (sometimes called nonprimitive types). The primitive types are boolean, byte, char, short, int, long, float and double. All nonprimitive types are reference types, so classes, which specify the types of objects, are reference types.

A primitive-type variable can store exactly one value of its declared type at a time. For example, an int variable can store one whole number (such as 7) at a time. When another value is assigned to that variable, its initial value is replaced. Primitive-type instance variables are initialized by default—variables of types byte, char, short, int, long, float and double are initialized to ...