Why can't I sum two byte variables ?

[Latif Ben]

class Code17 {
public static void main (String [] args) {

byte A=22,B=24;
       A=A+B; //  possible loss of precision
 
long X=22,Y=24;
       X=X+Y; //  compiles fine
}
}

[Zeeshan Sheikh]

Binary operation (+) in java would return integer which is why there is loss of precision. You have to explicitly cast expression back to byte.

[Jeff Verdegan]

Also, to keep your code readable, declare only one variable per line:

// bad
byte A=22,B=24; 

// good
byte A=22
byte B=24; 

Also, don't increase your indent level unless you increase your block depth

// bad
byte A=22,B=24;  
       A=A+B; //  possible loss of precision  

// good
byte A=22
byte B=24;  

A=A+B; //  possible loss of precision  

[Jeff Verdegan]

Zeeshan Sheikh wrote:Binary operation (+) in java would return integer which is why there is loss of precision. You have to explicitly cast expression back to byte.

Note, however, that the += operator does the cast for you, so

A += B;

should work.