data type

A Dictionary of Computing | 2004 | 543 words | Copyright

data type An abstract set of possible values that an instance of the data type may assume, given either implicitly, e.g. INTEGER, REAL, STRING, or explicitly as, for example, in Pascal: TYPE color = (red, green, orange)

The data type indicates a class of internal representations for those values.

Types may be defined in terms of other more primitive types, such as arrays of integers. Some languages consider procedures or functions as data types, which can also be used in the construction of more complex types.

See also abstract data type.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN DAINTITH. "data type." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN DAINTITH. "data type." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-datatype.html

JOHN DAINTITH. "data type." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-datatype.html

Learn more about citation styles