Code Cupboard: Introduction to Datatypes

The python automatically assigns a datatype to a variable. Each datatype reacts differently to certain operations and its important to understand how to use the tools available to each data type.Here is a list of common datatypes:

boolean
integer
float
string
list
dictionary
None

Booleans

Boolean variables can be on or off, or True or False. Python defines Booleans with True and False. Note python requires that this is case sensitive.
To create a variable and assign it a Boolean value:

item_for_sale = True

item_sold_out = False

Integers

Integers are whole numbers. These tend to be easier for a computer to process when compared to floats.
To create a variable and assign it an integer value:

number_in_stock = 123

number_sold = 7

Floats

Floats are numbers which feature a decimal point often when more precision is needed or dealing with continuous data.

To create a variable and assign it an float value:

price = 2.99

tax = 0.17

Strings

Strings are finite sequences of characters. Strings are notated in python between quotation marks or inverted commas. There is an option to use 3 quotation marks or inverted commas in a row for strings that may contain these characters.
To create a variable and assign it an string value:

customer_name = "Max Python"

customer_address_1 = '1 house road'

customer_address_2 = """S'ton Town"""

customer_address_3 = '''AB1 2CD'''

Lists

Lists are a countable ordered sequence of values. The values of a list can be any datatype include nested lists.
To create a variable and assign it an list value:

customer_basket = ["apple","pear","pear"]

customer_sale = [customer_basket, True, "01/07/2017"]

Dictionaries

A dictionary is an array of values that have an associated key. The values of a dictionary can be any datatype, though keys should a unique string.
To create a dictionary which contains the keys "name" and "DOB", with respected values of "dean" and "01/03/2017". Note that the curly brackets contain the dictionary information. Items are separated by a comma. Keys are presented first allowed by a colon then the value.

customer_basket = {'name': 'dean', 'DOB': '01/03/2017'}

None

The None datatype signifies that the variable has not been assigned a value.

customer_discount = None

Related Sections

Python - Learn the python from the basics up. This fast track example code course will get you creating powerful python programs in no time.
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Pickle - The pickle library allows a program to save data in a binary file.
Python - List Comprehension - Create powerful list comprehension expressions.
Python - Generators - Learn about generator statements.
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Tkinter - Radio Buttons - A short example of how to create a GUI with radio buttons.
Tkinter - Canvas - Canvas allows for a range of shapes to be plotted, such as circles, squares, lines

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Introduction to Datatypes