C++ long Data Type Explained

In C++, long is an integer data type used to represent larger integer values. Specifically, a variable of type long can typically store integer values within the range of -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647 (on a 32-bit system) or -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807 (on a 64-bit system).

The long data type can be used to declare variables or as a return type for functions. For example:

long number = 1000000000;

In the C++11 standard and later versions, a new data type called long long was introduced to represent larger integer values. Variables of type long long can typically store integer values in the range of -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807.

In addition to basic integer calculations, the long data type can also be used to represent scenarios that require larger integers such as file sizes and timestamps.