JavaScript - Data Types

JavaScript - Data Types

Introduction: In JavaScript, data types define the kind of values that can be stored and manipulated within a program. JavaScript has several built-in data types that are used to represent different kinds of information. Understanding these data types is essential for effective programming and data manipulation in JavaScript.

Primitive Data Types: JavaScript has six primitive data types, which are:

1. Number: The Number data type represents numeric values. It includes integers, floating-point numbers, and special numeric values like NaN (Not-a-Number) and Infinity. Here's an example:

javascript
let age = 25;
let pi = 3.14;
let notANumber = NaN;

2. String: The String data type represents sequences of characters enclosed in single quotes (') or double quotes ("). Strings are used to represent textual data. Here's an example:

javascript
let name = "John Doe";
let message = 'Hello, World!';

3. Boolean: The Boolean data type represents logical values, either true or false. Booleans are commonly used for conditional statements and logical operations. Here's an example:

javascript
let isTrue = true;
let isFalse = false;

4. Undefined: The undefined data type represents a variable that has been declared but has no assigned value. Here's an example:

javascript
let undefinedVariable;

5. Null: The null data type represents the intentional absence of any object value. It is often used to indicate the absence of a meaningful value. Here's an example:

javascript
let nullValue = null;

6. Symbol: The Symbol data type represents unique and immutable values. Symbols are often used as identifiers for object properties to prevent name collisions. Here's an example:

javascript
let id = Symbol("unique id");

Complex Data Types: JavaScript also has two complex data types, which are:

1. Object: The Object data type represents a collection of key-value pairs. Objects are used to store structured data and are widely used in JavaScript programming. Here's an example:

javascript
let person = {
  name: "John Doe",
  age: 25,
  isStudent: true
};

2. Array: The Array data type represents an ordered list of values. Arrays allow storing multiple values in a single variable and provide methods for manipulating and accessing those values. Here's an example:

javascript
let numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
let fruits = ["apple", "banana", "orange"];

Conclusion: Understanding JavaScript data types is crucial for writing robust and efficient code. By utilizing the appropriate data types, you can handle and manipulate data effectively in your JavaScript programs.