INTEGER is a 2-byte number type definition that can hold whole numerical values.
Syntax
- Integers do not use decimal point values but will round those off to the nearest even whole number.
- QBasic integer values can range from -32768 to 32767 without an “overflow” error.
- For larger integer values use the LONG integer type.
- QB64 INTEGER values greater than 32767 become negative signed values instead of throwing an “overflow” error, as the top bit designates a negative value. See example 1 below.
- QB64 _UNSIGNED integers can range from 0 to 65535.
- QB64 _UNSIGNED _INTEGER64 values range from 0 to 18446744073709551615
- Many graphic programs require INTEGER arrays.
- Variable type suffix is % or ~% for _UNSIGNED. Suffix can also be placed after a literal or hexadecimal numerical value.
- LONG integers use the & suffix and _INTEGER64 use the && suffix.
- Values can be converted to 2 byte ASCII string values using MKI$ and back with CVI.
- When a variable has not been defined or has no type suffix, the value defaults to SINGLE.
- Warning: QBasic keyword names cannot be used as numerical variable names with or without the type suffix.
Example(s)
QBasic signed integers were limited from -32768 to 32767, but could not exceed 32767 or it would error:
DO: _LIMIT 2000
i% = i% + 1
PRINT i%
LOOP UNTIL i% = 0
Explanation: In QB64 the count will go to 32767, then count up from -32768 to 0 before repeating the process without error.
When a signed QB64 INTEGER value exceeds 32767, the value may become a negative value:
i% = 38000
PRINT i%
-27536
Explanation: Use an _UNSIGNED INTEGER or a ~% variable type suffix for only positive integer values up to 65535.
In QB64 _UNSIGNED INTEGER values greater than 65535 cycle over again from zero:
i~% = 70000
PRINT i~%
4464
Explanation: In QB64 an unsigned integer value of 65536 would be 0 with values increasing by the value minus 65536.