In Python, data types define what kind of value a variable can hold. Understanding data types is crucial for writing efficient and error-free code.

Let’s explore Python’s basic data types with simple examples.

Numeric Data Types

Python provides three numeric data types:

• int: Whole numbers (e.g., 5, -10)
• float: Decimal numbers (e.g., 3.14, -0.5)
• complex: Numbers with real and imaginary parts (e.g., 3 + 4j)

x = 10 # int
y = 3.14 # float
z = 2 + 3j # complex

print(type(x)) # Output: <class 'int'>
print(type(y)) # Output: <class 'float'>
print(type(z)) # Output: <class 'complex'>

String (str)

A string is a sequence of characters enclosed in single or double quotes.

Example:

name = "Python"
greeting = 'Hello'

print(type(name)) # Output: <class 'str'>
print(name + " Rocks!") # Output: Python Rocks!

Boolean (bool)

The boolean type represents True or False.

is_active = True
is_closed = False

print(type(is_active)) # Output: <class 'bool'>

Sequence Data Types

• list: Ordered, mutable, and allows duplicates (e.g., [1, 2, 3])
• tuple: Ordered, immutable, and allows duplicates (e.g., (1, 2, 3))
• range: Represents a sequence of numbers (e.g., range(5))

Example:

fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry'] # list
coordinates = (10, 20) # tuple
numbers = range(5) # range

print(type(fruits)) # Output: <class 'list'>
print(type(coordinates)) # Output: <class 'tuple'>
print(list(numbers)) # Output: [0, 1, 2, 3, 4]

Mapping Data Type

• dict: A collection of key-value pairs.

Example:

person = {"name": "Junaid Shaikh", "age": 29}

print(type(person)) # Output: <class 'dict'>
print(person['name']) # Output: Alice

Set Data Types

• set: Unordered, mutable, no duplicates (e.g., {1, 2, 3})
• frozenset: Immutable version of a set.

Example:

colors = {'red', 'green', 'blue'} # set
frozen_colors = frozenset(colors) # frozenset

print(type(colors)) # Output: <class 'set'>
print(type(frozen_colors)) # Output: <class 'frozenset'>

Binary Data Types

• bytes: Immutable binary data (e.g., b'hello')
• bytearray: Mutable binary data.
• memoryview: Views binary data.

Example:

binary_data = b'Python'
mutable_data = bytearray(5)

print(type(binary_data)) # Output: <class 'bytes'>
print(type(mutable_data)) # Output: <class 'bytearray'>

Checking Data Type

Use the type() function to check a variable’s data type.

Example:

value = 42
print(type(value)) # Output: <class 'int'>

Converting Between Data Types

Python allows type conversion using functions like int(), str(), float(), etc.

Example:

num = "10"
converted_num = int(num) # Converts string to integer

print(type(converted_num)) # Output: <class 'int'>

Tuple

A tuple is an immutable Python Object. Immutable Python objects mean we cannot alter the contents of a tuple once it is assigned. It is represented by () parenthesis.

Example:

tup = (66,99)
Tup[0] = 3 #error will be displayed
print(tup[0])
print(tup[1])

Mastering data types is a foundational step in Python programming.