Data Types in Python

Python Data Types

In programming, a data type defines the kind of value a variable can hold. Every value in Python has a specific data type, and these types help the interpreter understand what operations can be performed on a value.

Python has several built-in data types, and they can be grouped into different categories.

Built-in Data Types

Here are the main data types in Python:

1. Text Type:
   • str: Represents a sequence of characters (strings).
2. Numeric Types:
   • int: Represents whole numbers.
   • float: Represents decimal (floating point) numbers.
   • complex: Represents complex numbers (numbers with real and imaginary parts).
3. Sequence Types:
   • list: Ordered and changeable collection of items.
   • tuple: Ordered but unchangeable (immutable) collection.
   • range: Represents a sequence of numbers.
4. Mapping Type:
   • dict: Represents key-value pairs (like a dictionary).
5. Set Types:
   • set: Unordered collection of unique items.
   • frozenset: Unordered and immutable set.
6. Boolean Type:
   • bool: Represents two values, True or False.
7. Binary Types:
   • bytes: Immutable sequence of bytes.
   • bytearray: Mutable sequence of bytes.
   • memoryview: Provides a view of the memory of an existing object.
8. None Type:
   • NoneType: Represents the absence of a value (similar to null in other languages).

Getting the Data Type

To check the type of a value or variable, you can use the type() function.

Example:

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x = 5
y = "Hello"
z = [1, 2, 3]

print(type(x))  # Output: <class 'int'>
print(type(y))  # Output: <class 'str'>
print(type(z))  # Output: <class 'list'>