What is the default value of a boolean in Java?

Java MCQ: What is the default value of a boolean in Java?

a) 0
b) false
c) null
d) undefined

Answer:

b) false

Explanation:

In Java, the default value of a boolean data type is false. The boolean type is one of the eight primitive data types in Java, specifically used for storing simple true/false values. Unlike other primitive types that store numerical data or characters, the boolean type is essential for control flow, such as in conditional statements (if, else) and loops (while, for), where logical decisions need to be made.

When a boolean variable is declared but not explicitly initialized, Java assigns it the default value of false. This behavior is particularly important to understand because it ensures that uninitialized boolean fields in objects do not lead to unexpected behavior. For example:


boolean isActive;
System.out.println(isActive); // Outputs: false

In this example, the isActive variable is declared but not initialized. When we print it, Java outputs false, which is the default value. Understanding default values is crucial for debugging and ensuring that your program behaves as expected.

The default value of false is particularly useful in scenarios where you need a fail-safe condition. For instance, if your program depends on a series of boolean checks and you want to ensure that the program only proceeds if a condition is explicitly set to true, the default false value helps in preventing unintended operations. This feature of Java’s boolean data type enhances the robustness of applications by providing predictable behavior even when variables are not explicitly initialized.

Reference links:

https://www.javaguides.net/p/java-tutorial-learn-java-programming.html

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