Data type - GCSE Computer Science Definition

A data type in computer science refers to the classification of data that tells a computer how to interpret its value and what operations can be performed on it. Understanding data types is crucial for writing efficient programs as they define the kind of data you'll be working with, such as integers, floats, strings, and booleans. For GCSE Computer Science students, it's important to recognise that selecting the appropriate data type helps in optimising memory usage and ensures that operations are executed correctly. For example, using an integer data type is ideal for counting items, whereas a string would be used for handling text. Each programming language may have its own set of data types, but the fundamental concept remains consistent across platforms.