Long integer

In computer science, a long integer is a variable that can hold a positive or negative whole number whose range is greater or equal to that of a standard integer on the same machine.

In practice it is usual for a long integer to require double the storage capacity of a standard integer, although this is not always the case.

A variable defined as a long integer in one programming language may be different in size to a similarly defined variable in another. In some languages this size is fixed across platforms, whilst in others it is machine dependent. In some languages this data type does not exist at all.

Common sizes

Programming language	Platforms	Data type name	Storage in bytes	Minimum range	Maximum range
VB	Windows	Long	8	-2,147,483,648 or -231	2,147,483,647 or 231-1
VBA	Windows, Mac OS	Long	8	-2,147,483,648 or -231	2,147,483,647 or 231-1
SQL Server	Windows	BigInt	8	-2,147,483,648 or -231	2,147,483,647 or 231-1
.NET CLR/CTS	Windows	Long or Int64	8	-2,147,483,648 or -231	2,147,483,647 or 231-1

See also

• computer numbering formats
• integer
• short integer