Data Types

Definition: Data types represent the kind of value a variable holds. Python supports several basic data types such as integers, floating-point numbers, strings, and booleans.

Why: Data types are a core foundation topic because they determine what kind of operations you can perform on a piece of data (for example, you can multiply integers, but you cannot multiply strings in the same way).

Common Data Types

• Integer (int): Whole numbers without decimals (e.g., 10, -5).
• Float: Numbers with decimal points (e.g., 3.14, 2.0).
• String (str): Text wrapped in quotes (e.g., "Ravi", 'Python').
• Boolean (bool): Represents logical values: True or False.

Example

x = 10
pi = 3.14
name = "Ravi"
is_open = True

print(type(x))
print(type(pi))
print(type(name))
print(type(is_open))

Explanation

• The type() function is used to check the data type of any variable.
• x is identified as <class 'int'>.
• pi is identified as <class 'float'>.
• name is identified as <class 'str'>.
• is_open is identified as <class 'bool'>.

Key Notes

• Python is dynamically typed, meaning you don't have to explicitly state the type; Python figures it out for you.
• Booleans must always start with a capital letter (True/False).