The integers we have used so far don't allow decimal values. C++ provides floating identifier values that would solve this problem. To declare a variable that involves a decimal value, you can use the float keyword. Here is an example:

using namespace System;

int main()
{
	float Fraction = 12.35;

	Console::WriteLine(Fraction);

	Console::WriteLine();
	return 0;
}

A float variable can hold a number that ranges from 3.4 x 10^-38 to 3.4 x 10³⁸. Besides, or instead of, float, you can use the Single data type to declare a variable that holds a simple decimal value. The Single data type is defined in the System namespace.

1. To declare a single-precision variable, change the file as follows:
    

   using namespace System; int main() { long propertyNumber = 490724; __wchar_t propertyType = 'S'; Byte stories = 2; unsigned bedrooms = 5; float bathrooms = 3.5; unsigned yearBuilt = 1962; Console::WriteLine("=//= Altair Realty =//="); Console::WriteLine("-=- Properties Inventory -=-"); Console::Write("Property #: "); Console::WriteLine(propertyNumber); Console::Write("Property Type: "); Console::WriteLine(propertyType); Console::Write("Stories: "); Console::WriteLine(stories); Console::Write("Bedrooms: "); Console::WriteLine(bedrooms); Console::Write("Bathrooms: "); Console::WriteLine(bathrooms); Console::Write("Year Built: "); Console::WriteLine(yearBuilt); return 0; }

2. Execute the project to see the result:
    

   =//= Altair Realty =//= -=- Properties Inventory -=- Property #: 490724 Property Type: S Stories: 2 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3.5 Year Built: 1962 Press any key to continue . . .

3. Close the DOS window

One of the limitations of the float data type is that it provides less precision than required sometimes (in fact, the Microsoft C++ compiler, always displays a warning when you use the float data type to declare a variable). The alternative is to use the double keyword or the Double data type to declare a variable that would hold decimal numbers. The Double data type is defined in the System namespace.

A double-precision variable declared with double or Double can hold a decimal or fractional number that ranges from 1.7 x 10^-308 to 1.7 x 10³⁰⁸. It is used for numbers that and/or are very large.

using namespace System;

int main()
{
	System::Double Fraction = 12.35;

	Console::WriteLine(Fraction);

	return 0;
}

This would produce:

12.35
Press any key to continue

1. To use a double-precision variable, change the file as follows:
    

   using namespace System; int main() { long propertyNumber = 490724; __wchar_t propertyType = 'S'; Byte stories = 2; unsigned bedrooms = 5; float bathrooms = 3.5; unsigned yearBuilt = 1962; double marketValue = 652540; Console::WriteLine("=//= Altair Realty =//="); Console::WriteLine("-=- Properties Inventory -=-"); Console::Write("Property #: "); Console::WriteLine(propertyNumber); Console::Write("Property Type: "); Console::WriteLine(propertyType); Console::Write("Stories: "); Console::WriteLine(stories); Console::Write("Bedrooms: "); Console::WriteLine(bedrooms); Console::Write("Bathrooms: "); Console::WriteLine(bathrooms); Console::Write("Year Built: "); Console::WriteLine(yearBuilt); Console::Write("Market Value: "); Console::WriteLine(marketValue); return 0; }

2. Execute the project to see the result:
    

   =//= Altair Realty =//= -=- Properties Inventory -=- Property #: 490724 Property Type: S Stories: 2 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3.5 Year Built: 1962 Market Value: 652540 Press any key to continue . . .

3. Close the DOS window

You may have found out that when you declare and initialize a float or Single variable, the compiler generates a warning. Consider the following example:

using namespace System;

int main()
{
	float Fraction = 12.35;

	Console::WriteLine(Fraction);

	Console::WriteLine();
	return 0;
}

When compiled, you would get the following warning:

.\Exercise.cpp(5) : warning C4305: 'initializing' : truncation from 'double' to 'float'

Although the program would compile fine. By default, when the compiler sees a value such as 12.35, for the sake of precision, it tends to store it as a double value. If you really want the variable to be treated as a float or Single, add the f or F to its right. Here is an example:

using namespace System;

int main()
{
	float Fraction = 12.35f;

	Console::WriteLine(Fraction);

	Console::WriteLine();
	return 0;
}

This time, the compiler will not generate a warning. Remember that you can use f (lowercase) or F (uppercase).