Data type

In computer science and computer programming, a data type (or simply type) is a classification identifying one of various types of data.

Description

Data type determines:

• The possible values for that type
• The operations that can be done on values of that type
• The meaning of the data
• The way values of that type can be stored

Data types are used within type systems, which offer various ways of defining, implementing and using them.

Different type systems ensure varying degrees of type safety.

Almost all programming languages explicitly include the notion of data type, though different languages may use different terminology.

Common data types include:

• Integers
• Floating-point numbers
• Booleans
• Characters
• Alphanumeric strings
• Arrays

See also

• Computer science
• Computing
• Data (computing)
• Data structure
• Programming language

External links

• Data type @ Wikipedia