What Are Data Types?

• A data type tells Python what kind of value is being stored in a variable.
• Different data types allow you to work with numbers, text, or more complex structures.
• Understanding data types is essential because they determine what operations you can perform on the data.

Basic Data Types in Python

1. Numbers

• Integers (int): Whole numbers (positive, negative, or zero).

  age = 25
  temperature = -5
  

• Floating‑Point Numbers (float): Numbers with decimals.

  pi = 3.14
  height = 5.7
  

• Complex Numbers (complex): Numbers with real and imaginary parts.

  z = 2 + 3j
  

2. Strings (str)

• Text enclosed in single or double quotes.

  name = "Alice"
  message = 'Hello, World!'
  

• Strings can be combined or sliced:

  print(name[0])       # A
  print(name.upper())  # ALICE
  

3. Boolean (bool)

• Represents truth values: True or False.

  is_student = True
  has_passed = False
  

4. None Type

• Represents the absence of a value.

  result = None
  

Collection Data Types

1. Lists

• Ordered, changeable collection of items.

  fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
  print(fruits[1])  # banana
  

2. Tuples

• Ordered, but immutable (cannot be changed).

  coordinates = (10, 20)
  

3. Sets

• Unordered collection of unique items.

  colors = {"red", "green", "blue"}
  

4. Dictionaries

• Key‑value pairs for storing related information.

  student = {"name": "Alice", "age": 25}
  print(student["name"])  # Alice
  

Checking Data Types

Use the type() function to check the type of a variable:

x = 10
print(type(x))   # <class 'int'>