We use **data types** to define what type of value a variable holds. For example, if we want to declare a variable and assign a *number* to it, we use the integer, `int`, data type. 

Similarly, if we want a variable to store *textual* data, we use the `string` data type, which is a collection of characters. 

>There are several other data types, each of which has its own size.

# Scala data types

In Scala, we have various data types similar to what we use in Java or C++. Those data types are:

- **Integer**: This data type holds a numeric value of a maximum of 32-bits. The integer data type has two subtypes:

  - **long**: holds a numeric value of maximum 64-bits.

  - **short**: holds a numeric value of maximum 16-bits.

- **String**: This data type supports textual data, written inside (`""`) double-quotes.

- **Boolean**: We use the `boolean` data type in a situation where we want to declare variables that have `true` or `false` values.

- **Char**: It is short for *character*. `char` only supports a single character written inside (`''`) single-quotes.

- **Float**: Also known as `floating-point,` this data type is used to store real numbers, that include a fractional part, in a variable that has a capacity of 32-bits.

- **Double**: This data type is similar to `Float.` It just holds a max length of 64-bits.

# Code

Let's observe the following example to see how these data types can be implemented in Scala.

// var keyword is used to 
// declare variables in Scala

var int: Int = 50
var short: Short = 40
var long: Long = 80
var string: String = "Hello World!"
var bool: Boolean = true
var char: Char = 'H'
var float: Float = 3.142f
var double: Double = 3.141592653589793

println("1. integer: " + int)
println("2. short:   " + short)
println("3. long:    " + long)
println("4. string:  " + string)


if (bool == true) {
  println("5. boolean: this is a true value!")
}

println("6. char:    " + char)
println("7. float:   " + float)
println("8. double:  " + double)




# Explanation

`var` keyword is used to declare variables. To initialize those variables, we write their data types followed by the value we want to store.

`println()` is used to display the values of each variable.

What are data types in Scala?

We use data types to define what type of value a variable holds. For example, if we want to declare a variable and assign a number to it, we use the integer, int, data type. Similarly, if we want a variable to store textual data, we use the string data type, which is a collection of characters.  There are several other data types, each of which has its own size.  