Primitive Type

What Does Primitive Type Mean?

Primitive type refers to a whole host of less complex variables and data types in different technologies and programming syntax systems. Some of these are defined by whether the variable needs substructures, or how simple the data type is to represent. Others are defined by whether they are part of a machine language or are otherwise accessible.

Advertisements

Techopedia Explains Primitive Type

Some common data types designated as primitive types include Boolean values, strings and integers. In addition to the above, there are many other ways to classify primitive types. Some developers maintain vibrant debates on what constitutes a primitive type in a given language, such as C# or C++, where some programming syntax explanations may not concretely define primitive types. In other cases, a primitive type may be a data type that is easily rendered by a given programming tool. For example, if a programming resource is able to generate simple polygons but not more complex shapes with a simple command, the simpler shapes could be called primitive types.

Advertisements

Related Terms

Latest Database Terms

Related Reading

Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…