Java Booleans


Java Booleans

In most cases, in applications, you will need a data type that can be only one of two values, such as:

  • YES / NO
  • ON / OFF
  • TRUE / FALSE

In this case, Java has a boolean data type, which can take values ​​true or false.


Boolean Values

The boolean type is declared by the boolean keyword and can only take values ​​true or false:


Example
boolean isJavaFun = true;
boolean isFishTasty = false;
System.out.println(isJavaFun);     // Outputs true
System.out.println(isFishTasty);   // Outputs false
            

However, it is very common to return boolean values ​​from boolean expressions, for conditional testing (see below).


Boolean Expression

Boolean expression is a Java expression that returns the Boolean value: true or false.

You can use operator comparisons, such as operator greater than (>) to determine if the expression (or alternative) is true:


Example
int x = 10;
int y = 9;
System.out.println(x > y); // returns true, because 10 is higher than 9
            

Or even easier:


Example
System.out.println(10 > 9); // returns true, because 10 is higher than 9
        

In the examples below, we use an operator equal to (==) to check the expression:


Example
int x = 10;
System.out.println(x == 10); // returns true, because the value of x is equal to 10
            


Example
System.out.println(10 == 15); // returns false, because 10 is not equal to 15
        

The Boolean value of speech is the basis for all Java terms and conditions.

You will learn more about conditions in the next chapter.