Data types are the classification of data items. Data types represents a kind of value which determines what can be done to that data.
What are the different types of data in Python?
| Data Types | Examples | Explanation | Mutable/Immutable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strings | "Hello!", "23.34" | Text - anything between " " becomes string |
Immutable |
| Integers | 5364 | Whole numbers | Immutable |
| Floats | 3.1415 | Decimal Numbers | Immutable |
| Booleans | True, False | Truth values that represent Yes/No | Immutable |
| Lists | [1,2,3,4,5] | A collection of data, sits between [ ] |
Mutable |
| Tuples | (1,2,3,4,5) | A collection of data, sits between ( ) |
Immutable |
| Dictionaries | {"a":1, "b":2, "c":3} | A collection of data, sits between { } |
Mutable |
Data types are set when you assign a value to a variable.
| Examples | Type | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| ex_1 = "Hello World" | string | The data assigned sits in between " " |
| ex_2 = 254 | integer | The data assigned does not sit in between " " , and is a whole number |
| ex_3 = 25.43 | float | The data assigned does not sit in between " " , and is a decimal number |
| ex_4 = ["Anna", "Bella", "Cora"] | list | A list of strings - Data assigned sits in between " " , within [ ] |
Use the type( ) function to check data types.
type(x) determines and returns what is the type of the input x
Click the triangle button to run the codes and see the output:
To convert variables from one type to another (i.e. integers to floats), we use type conversions as follows:
| Data Type | Syntax |
|---|---|
| strings | str() |
| integer | int() |
| floats | float() |
| lists | list() |
Application
You are expected to comply with University policies and guidelines namely, Appropriate Use of Information Resources Policy, IT Usage Policy and Social Media Policy. Users will be personally liable for any infringement of Copyright and Licensing laws. Unless otherwise stated, all guide content is licensed by CC BY-NC 4.0.