(1) In SQL, an attribute of columns, literals, host variables, special registers, parameters, and the results of functions and expressions.
(2) An attribute used for defining data as either numeric or character.
(3) In programming languages, a descriptor of a set of values together with a set of permitted operations. A data type determines the kind of value that a variable can assume or that a function can return.
(4) A category that identifies the mathematical qualities and internal representation of data and functions. See also type.
(5) In OSI, a category of data clearly defined using a data declaration method, such as ASN.1 or Pascal.