Primitive Data Types

In JavaScript, primitive data types are the most basic types of data. Here are the five primary primitive data types in JavaScript:

1. String
2. Number
3. Boolean
4. Null
5. Undefined

String

A string is a sequence of characters used to represent text. Strings are created by enclosing characters in single quotes ('), double quotes ("), or backticks (`).

Examples:

'Hello, World!'
"JavaScript is fun."
`Template literals are great.`

Strings can include letters, numbers, symbols, and spaces. They are used to represent and manipulate text.

Number

The number data type represents both integer and floating-point numbers. JavaScript does not differentiate between integers and floating-point numbers.

Examples:

42      // An integer
3.14    // A floating-point number

Numbers can be used in mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They are essential for performing calculations and representing numeric values.

Boolean

A boolean represents a logical entity and can have two values: true or false. Booleans are often used in conditional statements to control the flow of a program.

Examples:

true
false

Booleans help in decision-making processes within the code. They are used to test conditions and determine whether certain blocks of code should be executed.

Null

null is a special value representing any object value’s intentional absence. It indicates that something explicitly has no value.

Example:

null

null is intentionally assigned to signify that they are empty or not initialized.

Undefined

undefined is similar to null in that it signifies an empty value. The difference is that when something has not yet been assigned a value (including null) it will be undefined. Example:

undefined

In short, it represents the absence of any value. This typically indicates that something is missing or not yet set.

Summary of Primitive Data Types

1. String: Used for text. Examples: 'Hello', "JavaScript is fun", `Template literals are great`
2. Number: Used for numbers. Examples: 42, 3.14
3. Boolean: Used for true/false values. Examples: true, false
4. Null: Represents the intentional absence of a value.
5. Undefined: Represents an uninitialized value.

Understanding these primitive data types is essential for working with data in JavaScript. They form the foundation for more complex data structures and operations.

Next, we will explore operators in JavaScript, which allow us to perform various operations on these data types.