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How to Convert Char to Int in Java? Character to Integer Conversion

There are many scenarios in Java programming where data conversions play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless data processing.

One such common requirement is converting a character to integer in Java. While Java offers an inherent association between these two data types, the process of converting a single character to its numerical value involves some underlying intricacies.

So, here, we will learn the right methods on how to convert char to int in Java. Whether you're handling user inputs, parsing data from external sources, or performing mathematical operations with characters, a solid understanding of these conversion techniques is crucial.

Before we begin, it is essential to have a basic understanding of Java programming concepts. If you are new to Java or need a refresher, the full Java Tutorial is an excellent starting point.

Convert Char to Int in Java Using ASCII values

Every character in Java is represented internally as a numeric value according to the ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) encoding. The ASCII values are integer representations of characters, allowing you to perform conversions between char and int data types.

To convert a char to an int using ASCII values, you can simply assign the char to an int variable, and Java will automatically perform the conversion. 

Code

public class CharToIntExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        char myChar = 'A';
        int myInt = myChar; // Automatically converts char to int using ASCII value

        // Print the converted int
        System.out.println("Converted int using ASCII value: " + myInt);
    }
}

Output

Converted int using ASCII value: 65

Explanation

In this example, we have a char variable myChar with the value 'A'. We then assign this char to an int variable myInt. Since char is implicitly convertible to int, Java uses the ASCII value of 'A' (which is 65) and stores it in the myInt variable.

As you can see, the char 'A' has been successfully converted to the int value 65 using ASCII values. This conversion is particularly useful when working with characters for numerical computations or when you need to perform operations that involve ASCII representations of characters.

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Convert Character to Integer in Java Using valueOf()

You can convert a char to an int in Java using the valueOf() method of the String class in combination with the Character.toString() method. This approach leverages the fact that the String class provides a convenient way to convert a char to its corresponding String representation, and then you can parse the String to an int.

Code

public class CharToIntExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        char myChar = 'A';
        String charAsString = Character.toString(myChar);
        int myInt = Integer.parseInt(charAsString);

        // Print the converted int
        System.out.println("Converted int using valueOf(): " + myInt);
    }
}

Output

Converted int using valueOf(): 65

Explanation

We first declare a char variable named myChar with the value 'A'. We then use Character.toString(myChar) to convert the char to a String called charAsString. Finally, we use Integer.parseInt(charAsString) to convert the String charAsString to an int and store it in the myInt variable.

Convert Char to Int in Java Using getNumericValue() method

We can also convert a char to an int using the getNumericValue() method of the Character class. This method is specifically designed to extract the numeric value of a character, making it a convenient way to convert characters to their corresponding integer representations.

Code

public class CharToIntExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        char myChar = '7';
        int myInt = Character.getNumericValue(myChar);

        // Print the converted int
        System.out.println("Converted int using getNumericValue(): " + myInt);
    }
}

Output

Converted int using getNumericValue(): 7

Explanation

In this example, we have a char variable myChar with the value '7'. We then use Character.getNumericValue(myChar) to convert the char to an int, and the result is stored in the myInt variable.

This method is especially useful when you are dealing with numeric characters and want to extract their numeric values without explicitly using ASCII values or intermediary String representations.

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