Integer.MAX_VALUE in Java with Examples

What is Integer.MAX_VALUE in Java?

The Integer.MAX_VALUE in Java is a constant that represents the maximum positive integer value. Integer.MAX_VALUE is a number in the Java Integer сlass of java.lang package. It is the maximum possible Integer number that can be represented in 32 bits. Its exact value is 2147483647 i.e. 2^31-1.

public class MaximumInteger {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        System.out.println(Integer.MAX_VALUE);
    }
}

Output

What are Integers in Java?

Integers are numbers that have no fractional part. In Java, Integers are represented in 32 bits space. In addition, they are represented in 2’s complement binary form, which means that one bit out of these 32 is a sign bit. Thus, there are 2^31-1 possible values. Hence, there is no integer greater than the number 2^31-1 in Java.

Why is Integer.MAX_VALUE in Java Required?

It is used to automatically assign any variable the maximum integer possible without requiring to remember the exact number. There are many times when we need a maximum or minimum number. It can be for comparative reasons or any other. It can be difficult to remember the exact constant. This job is made easy by Integer.MAX_VALUE in Java.

Example

public class MaximumInteger {
	
	public static void main(String[] args) {
		
		int maxNumber = Integer.MAX_VALUE;

		System.out.println("maxNumber: " + maxNumber);

		int number1 = Integer.MAX_VALUE - 1;

		System.out.println("number1: " + number1);

		if (number1 < maxNumber) {
			System.out.println("number1 < maxNumber");
		}
	}
}

Output

Explanation

In the code snippet above, we take a variable maxNumber and assign it maximum integer value using Integer.MAX_VALUE. Then we take another variable number1 and assign it a value one smaller than the maximum. We compare the two and print the results.

Conclusion

By the end of this post, we hope you have got yourself familiarized with the Integer.MAX_VALUE in Java in detail. You have learned how to use Integer.MAX_VALUE in Java with examples. You can try assigning other values to different variables and see how this concept works to understand it in more depth. Keep practicing for a deeper command of the concept. Till then, keep growing and keep shining!