A data type tells a program what kind of value it is handling. Common types include text, numbers, and true-or-false values.
Think of it like sorting objects into the right boxes: a number belongs in a number box, while a person's name belongs in a text box. The type helps the program know what it can do with the value.
If a program treats a phone number like an amount to add, it may behave in an unexpected way. Choosing a suitable type helps keep information and operations understandable.