Long variables are stored as signed 64-bit (8-byte) integers ranging in value from -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 through 9,223,372,036,854,775,807.

You can convert the Long data type to Single, Double, or Decimal without encountering a System.OverflowException error.

Caution   If you are interfacing with components written in Visual Basic version 6.0, for example Automation or COM objects, keep in mind that Long has a different data width (32 bits) in Visual Basic 6.0. If you are passing a 32-bit argument to such a component, declare it as Integer instead of Long in Visual Basic .NET.

Furthermore, Automation does not support 64-bit integers on certain platforms, including Windows 2000 and Windows 98. You cannot pass a Visual Basic .NET Long argument to an Automation component on such platforms.

Appending the literal type character L to a literal forces it to the Long data type. Appending the identifier type character & to any identifier forces it to Long.

The equivalent .NET data type is System.Int64.

See Also

Data Type Summary | Int64 Structure | Integer Data Type | Short Data Type | Type Conversion Functions | Conversion Summary | Integer Data Type Changes in Visual Basic | Efficient Use of Data Types