What does the term 'data types' refer to?

The term 'data types' refers specifically to the classification of values that variables can hold. In programming and computer science, different data types define the nature of the data that can be stored in a variable, such as integers, floats, strings, and booleans. Each data type determines what kind of operations can be performed on the data, how much memory is allocated, and how the data is represented at a lower level.

For instance, an integer data type can hold whole numbers and supports mathematical operations like addition and subtraction, while a string data type can hold sequences of characters and allows for text manipulation functions. This distinction is important because it affects how a program functions and ensures that data is handled correctly, leading to more efficient and error-free code.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of programming and computer science but do not accurately define data types: the structure of code pertains to syntax and organization, algorithms deal with problem-solving methods, and errors focus on bugs or issues occurring during execution.