Variable type: meaning, definitions and examples

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variable type

 

[ ˈvɛriəbəl taɪp ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

programming

A variable type is a data type that determines the values that a variable can hold. It defines the size and layout of the variable's memory, as well as the range of values that can be stored. Variable types include integers, floats, strings, and arrays.

Synonyms

data format, data kind, data type.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
variable type

Commonly used in programming to refer to the specific kind of data a variable can hold.

  • In Python, the variable type could be integer, float, or string.
  • Understanding variable types is essential for writing efficient code.
data type

Widely used in computer science and databases to specify the kind of data that can be stored in a variable or field.

  • The data type for the 'age' field should be integer.
  • SQL databases have various data types like VARCHAR, INT, and DATE.
data format

Focuses on the structure or arrangement of data, often used in discussions about data transmission, storage, and presentation.

  • The data format for the file should be JSON for better readability.
  • Make sure to convert the data into the correct format before processing.
data kind

Less common, but refers to the nature or category of data; often used in data science and analytics.

  • In this dataset, we need to identify the data kind before analysis.
  • Different data kinds may require different preprocessing steps.

Examples of usage

  • An integer variable type can store whole numbers such as 5, -10, or 100.
  • A float variable type can store decimal numbers like 3.14 or -0.5.

Translations

Translations of the word "variable type" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tipo de variável

🇮🇳 चर प्रकार

🇩🇪 Variablentyp

🇮🇩 jenis variabel

🇺🇦 тип змінної

🇵🇱 typ zmiennej

🇯🇵 変数型 (へんすうがた)

🇫🇷 type de variable

🇪🇸 tipo de variable

🇹🇷 değişken türü

🇰🇷 변수 유형 (byeonsu yuhyeong)

🇸🇦 نوع المتغير

🇨🇿 typ proměnné

🇸🇰 typ premennej

🇨🇳 变量类型 (biànliàng lèixíng)

🇸🇮 vrsta spremenljivke

🇮🇸 breytutegund

🇰🇿 айнымалы түрі

🇬🇪 ცვლადი ტიპი

🇦🇿 dəyişən növü

🇲🇽 tipo de variable

Etymology

The term 'variable type' originated in the field of computer programming in the mid-20th century. As programming languages evolved, the concept of variable types became essential for defining the characteristics of data storage in computer memory. The ability to specify variable types helps ensure data integrity and efficient memory usage in software development.