Int64.CompareTo Method in C# with Examples
Last Updated :
11 Jul, 2025
Int64.CompareTo Method is used to compare the current instance to a specified object or Int64 and returns a sign of their relative values. There are 2 methods in the overload list of this method as follows:
- CompareTo(Int64) Method
- CompareTo(Object) Method
Int64.CompareTo(Int64) Method
This method is used to compare the current instance to a specified 64-bit signed integer and returns a sign of their relative values.
Syntax:
public int CompareTo (long value);
Here, it takes integer to compare.
Return Value: It returns a 32-bit signed number indicating the relative values of current instance and
value parameter as follows:
- Less than Zero: if Current Instance < value
- Zero: if Current Instance = value
- Greater than Zero: if Current Instance > value
Below programs illustrate the use of the above-discussed method:
Example 1:
csharp
// C# program to demonstrate the
// Int64.CompareTo(Int64) Method
using System;
class GFG {
// Main Method
public static void Main()
{
// Declaring and initializing value1
long value1 = 10;
// Declaring and initializing value2
long value2 = 20;
// compare both Int64 value
// using CompareTo() method
int status = value1.CompareTo(value2);
// checking the status
if (status > 0)
Console.WriteLine("{0} is greater than {1}",
value1, value2);
else if (status < 0)
Console.WriteLine("{0} is less than {1}",
value1, value2);
else
Console.WriteLine("{0} is equal to {1}",
value1, value2);
}
}
Output:
10 is less than 20
Example 2:
csharp
// C# program to demonstrate the
// Int64.CompareTo(Int64) Method
using System;
class GFG {
// Main Method
public static void Main()
{
// calling get() method
get(5, 7);
get(3025, 3025);
get(10, 20);
get(7, -12);
}
// defining get() method
public static void get(long value1,
long value2)
{
// using CompareTo() method
int status = value1.CompareTo(value2);
// checking the status
if (status > 0)
Console.WriteLine("{0} is greater than {1}",
value1, value2);
else if (status < 0)
Console.WriteLine("{0} is less than {1}",
value1, value2);
else
Console.WriteLine("{0} is equal to {1}",
value1, value2);
}
}
Output:
5 is less than 7
3025 is equal to 3025
10 is less than 20
7 is greater than -12
Int64.CompareTo(Object) Method
This method is used to compare the current instance to a specified object and returns a sign of their relative values.
Syntax:
public int CompareTo (object value);
Here, it takes an object to compare, or null.
Return Value: It returns a 32-bit signed number indicating the relative values of current instance and
value parameter as follows:
- Less than Zero: If Current Instance < value
- Zero: If Current Instance = value
- Greater than Zero: If Current Instance > value or value is null.
Exception: It throws
ArgumentException if value is not an Int64.
Below programs illustrate the use of the above-discussed method:
Example 1:
csharp
// C# program to demonstrate the
// Int64.CompareTo(object) Method
using System;
class GFG {
// Main Method
public static void Main()
{
try {
// Declaring and initializing value1
long value1 = 10;
// Declaring and initializing value2
object value2 = (long)5689412587;
// using CompareTo() method
int status = value1.CompareTo(value2);
// checking the status
if (status > 0)
Console.WriteLine("{0} is greater than {1}",
value1, value2);
else if (status < 0)
Console.WriteLine("{0} is less than {1}",
value1, value2);
else
Console.WriteLine("{0} is equal to {1}",
value1, value2);
}
catch (ArgumentException e)
{
Console.WriteLine("value2 must be Int64");
Console.Write("Exception Thrown: ");
Console.Write("{0}", e.GetType(), e.Message);
}
}
}
Output:
10 is less than 5689412587
Example 2: For
ArgumentException
csharp
// C# program to demonstrate the
// Int64.CompareTo(object) Method
using System;
using System.Globalization;
class GFG {
// Main Method
public static void Main()
{
try {
// Declaring and initializing value1
long value1 = 10;
// Declaring and initializing value2
object value2 = 1/3;
// using CompareTo() method
int status = value1.CompareTo(value2);
// checking the status
if (status > 0)
Console.WriteLine("{0} is greater than {1}",
value1, value2);
else if (status < 0)
Console.WriteLine("{0} is less than {1}",
value1, value2);
else
Console.WriteLine("{0} is equal to {1}",
value1, value2);
}
catch (ArgumentException e)
{
Console.WriteLine("value2 must be Int64");
Console.Write("Exception Thrown: ");
Console.Write("{0}", e.GetType(), e.Message);
}
}
}
Output:
value2 must be Int64
Exception Thrown: System.ArgumentException
Reference:
