Difference between revisions of "Type"
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The use of [[structure]]s or similar mechanisms may allow a [[programming language]] to support even more complex types; e.g. the 'BIGNUM' [[subroutine package]] of [[LISP]] allows the use of arbitrary precision integers. | The use of [[structure]]s or similar mechanisms may allow a [[programming language]] to support even more complex types; e.g. the 'BIGNUM' [[subroutine package]] of [[LISP]] allows the use of arbitrary precision integers. | ||
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Latest revision as of 18:36, 14 December 2018
A type is a formal designation of what kind of data a given item is. For instance, it might be a number, or a character. Types usually include more specific details; e.g. for numbers, they might be signed or unsigned, floating point or integer, and there is usually an indication of the precision (i.e. number of bits).
The hardware usually supports a limited, fixed number of types, but the software may augment that set; e.g. FORTRAN supports complex numbers natively.
The use of structures or similar mechanisms may allow a programming language to support even more complex types; e.g. the 'BIGNUM' subroutine package of LISP allows the use of arbitrary precision integers.
