Is Java's DataInputStream's readByte() faster than readInt()?

Question

Background: I'm currently creating an application in which two Java programs communicate over a network using a DataInputStream and DataOutputStream. Before every communication, I'd like to send an indication of what type of data is being sent, so the program knows how to handle it. I was thinking of sending an integer for this, but a byte has enough possible combinations.

So my question is, is Java's DataInputStream's readByte() faster than readInt()?

Also, on the other side, is Java's DataOutputStream's writeByte() faster than writeInt()?

Answer 1

If one byte will be enough for your data then readByte and writeByte will be indeed faster (because it reads/writes less data). It won't be noticeable difference though because the size of the data is very small in both cases - 1 vs 4 bytes.

If you have lots of data coming from the stream then using readByte or readInt will not make speed difference - for example calling readByte 4 times instead of readInt 1 time. Just use the one depending on what kind of data you expect and what makes your code easier to understand. You will have to read the whole stuff anyway :)