Value Type

What Does Value Type Mean?

A value type in computer programming is a coded object that involves memory allocation directly where it is created. Value types are commonly contrasted to reference types that instead act as pointers to a value that is stored elsewhere.

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Techopedia Explains Value Type

Another way to talk about value types is that they are ‘stored where they are defined,’ with specific types of memory allocation.

In many modern programming languages, floating point numbers and integers, as well as boolean variables or constants, are value types. One element of value types that is commonly questioned by developers is how and where value types are stored in different programming languages.

For example, in a language like C#, programmers often discuss the storage of value types on a ‘stack’ or in a ‘managed heap,’ which takes on the issues of memory allocation around this type of item.

Another example would be where programmers discuss the use of specific memory allocations for value types in the data cleanup utilities of various software applications.

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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…