Derived Data Type

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What Does Derived Data Type Mean?

A derived data type is a complex classification that identifies one or various data types and is made up of simpler data types called primitive data types. Derived data types have advanced properties and uses far beyond those of the basic primitive data types that operate as their essential building blocks.

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Techopedia Explains Derived Data Type

Derived data types can be made up of simple integers or characters, as well as other simple data types like Boolean true or false conditions, basic character strings, or anything else that is primitive based on its inability to be broken down into simpler components. Primitive, or basic, data types are those that have innate support on a programming platform.

Programmers can build all sorts of unique data types or classes using eXtensible Markup Language (XML). With XML, developers essentially code an advanced, user-defined data type by putting its unique attributes and elements into an XML code module. In pioneering the use of XML, some developers illustrated its uses by creating a range of virtual objects. For example, a virtual chair in XML may be composed of a range of data attributes detailing this virtual object’s physical dimensions, color, material makeup, or other invented properties.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Specialist
Margaret Rouse
Technology Specialist

Margaret is an award-winning writer and educator known for her ability to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles in the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret’s idea of ​​a fun day is to help IT and business professionals to learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.