Python Data Types
Hands-on tour of int, float, str, bool, list, tuple, dict, and None — with runnable snippets.
Focus: python data types basics
Practice in the browser IDE
Runnable sample for this lesson loads into the editor — press Run when you’re ready.
Every value in Python has a type. Python picks types from literals like 42 or "hi". Each gray box below is one runnable sample — use the small Try in editor chip to open the IDE with that exact code loaded (?example=…).
1. Numbers — integers and floats
An integer (int) is a whole number. A float (float) has a decimal point. Underscores in literals are only for readability.
count = 7
million = 1_000_000
avg = 9.5
print(count + 2) # 9
print(type(count)) # <class 'int'>
print(type(avg)) # <class 'float'>
2. Text — strings (str)
Strings hold text. Match your quotes; use \n inside quotes for a newline.
name = "Ada"
emoji = '🐍'
story = "Line one.\nLine two."
print(len(name))
print(name.lower())
print("Hello, " + name)
print(story)
3. Yes / no — booleans (bool)
Only two values: True and False (capital letter first). Comparisons return booleans.
logged_in = True
print(10 > 3)
print("python" == "java")
4. Lists — ordered, changeable
A list keeps items in order. You can append, remove, or replace items.
scores = [88, 92, 79]
scores.append(95)
first = scores[0]
print(scores)
print(len(scores))
5. Tuples — ordered pairs / records
A tuple is like a fixed-length list you usually do not mutate — handy for coordinates.
point = (10, 20)
rgb = (255, 128, 0)
print(point[0], rgb[2])
6. Dictionaries — label → value
A dict maps keys (often strings) to values. Lookup by key is fast and readable.
user = {"name": "Sam", "score": 42}
print(user["name"])
user["score"] = 100
print(list(user.keys()))
print(list(user.values()))
7. None — nothing assigned yet
None means “no useful object here.” Prefer is None when comparing.
answer = None
print(answer is None)
8. Check any value’s type
Use type() while learning what Python stored.
samples = [42, 3.14, "hi", True, [1], (2,), {"k": 3}, None]
for item in samples:
print(repr(item), "->", type(item).__name__)
How this relates to databases (simple picture)
In SQLite (and SQL generally), each column stores one kind of value — numeric, text, blob, etc. In Python you pick types that fit your problem; drivers map Python values into SQL safely.
Practice
Use each snippet chip above, or the compact Try in editor button under the lesson title for the combined playground preset.
Discussion
Questions, corrections, and tips help everyone reading this page.
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