TechWithRita

• uint8_t is a type of data that you can use in your code to store a number.
• The term itself is made up of three parts:
  • u stands for “unsigned,” which means the number will always be positive (no negative numbers).
  • int stands for “integer,” which means a whole number (no decimals).
  • 8 means it uses 8 bits of memory to store the number.
  • _t is just a convention in C/C++ to indicate it’s a specific type (you can ignore this part for now).

How Does It Work?

• Since uint8_t uses 8 bits, it can store numbers from 0 to 255.
• Think of it as a small box that can hold any whole number in that range.
• If you try to store a number larger than 255, it won’t fit in this box, and you might get unexpected results.

Why is it Useful?

• Efficiency: It uses very little memory (just 1 byte), so it’s great when you need to save space, like when dealing with many small numbers.
• Speed: Operations with smaller data types like uint8_t can be faster because they require less processing power.
• Portability: It’s a standard type across different microcontrollers, making your code more consistent and easier to understand.

Example in ESP32 Programming:

If you’re controlling the brightness of an LED using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), you might use a uint8_t variable to represent the brightness level, since the value ranges from 0 (off) to 255 (fully bright).

uint8_t brightness = 128;  // A medium brightness level

// Later in the code, you might use this value to set the brightness
ledcWrite(channel, brightness);

Summary:

• uint8_t is a small, efficient way to store whole numbers between 0 and 255.
• It’s perfect for things like sensor readings, color values, or anything where you don’t need large numbers.