Both of these are Data Types used in computer programming, but there is a fundamental difference between fundamental data types and derived data types. In this article, we will discuss the same in a tabular form. But let us first know a bit more about data types.
In the case of computer programming, a data type refers to a classification that specifies the given interpreter or compiler which type of data must be used. There are typically two major types of data:
All the variables present in C++ and C have associated data types. Every data type needs a different amount of memory. Also, each of them has specific operations that one can perform over them.
This type of data type is generally used by a user itself, for example, a structure or a class in the C++ language. The Derived Data Types include Pointers, Enumeration, Union, Class, Structures, Arrays, etc. These are just a few examples.
Difference Between Fundamental Data Types and Derived Data Types
Here are the differences present between Fundamental Data Types and Derived Data Types:
Parameters
Fundamental Data Types
Derived Data Types
Type of Complication
A fundamental data type is very basic. It is also known as a primitive data type.
A derived data type is basically an aggregation of the fundamental data type.
Examples
Void, Float, Integer, and Character are fundamental data types.
Structures, Unions, Arrays, and Pointers are the derived data types.
Specification of Elements
It uses Character in the form of char, Unsigned char, Signed char, etc., for the characters present in the Fundamental Data Type.
The Derived Data Types make use of pointers for storing the address of the available variables.
Storage of Data
It uses integers for the integers with no decimal digits. We can classify it as unsigned and signed. It is further classified as the int, long int, and short int.
It makes use of arrays to contain a similar data type.
Use
We use void when we don’t require the return value.
It is just like a structure, but the difference is that all the members present in a union share the very same location of memory.
Grouping of Values
We use floats for the decimal numbers. The classification occurs as double, float, and long double.
We use a structure for grouping all the different types of available items into one single type.
It is also known as a primitive data type. A derived data type
derived data type
The derived data types are basically derived out of the fundamental data types. A derived data type won't typically create a new data type – but would add various new functionalities to the existing ones instead.
is basically an aggregation of the fundamental data type. Void, Float, Integer, and Character are fundamental data types. Structures, Unions, Arrays, and Pointers are the derived data types.
Fundamental data types are very basic and include Void, Float, Integer, and Character. Derived data types are an aggregation of the fundamental data types and include Structures, Unions, Arrays, and Pointers.
For example, an array is a derived data type as it contains elements of a similar data type and acts like a new data type in the C programming language. User-defined data types are created by the user using a combination of fundamental and derived data types in the C programming language.
Primitive data types are simple types like int, double, char, etc.Derived data types are composed from primitive ones. For example, an array of integers. Another example: you can make a Complex class which would have a pair of doubles representing the real and imaginary parts.
Decide what data you need when you design your project, then you can gather the right information from the start, and throughout the project. There are two general types of data – quantitative and qualitative and both are equally important.
Fundamental Units are self-contained units that are not dependent on one another. Fundamental Units give rise to Derived Units. A basic unit of length is the meter, and a fundamental unit of time is the second. The meter per second (ms-1) is, on the other hand, a derived unit of velocity.
Derived data types are those that are defined in terms of other data types, called base types. Derived types may have attributes, and may have element or mixed content. Instances of derived types can contain any well-formed XML that is valid according to their data type definition. They may be built-in or user-derived.
Primary data types are also known as the fundamental data types because they are pre-defined or they already exist in the C language. All the other types of data types (derived and user-defined data types) are derived from these data types. Primary data types in C are of 4 types: int, char, float, and double.
Hence, the data types that are defined by the user are known as user-defined data types. For example; arrays, class, structure, union, Enumeration, pointer, etc. These data types hold more complexity than pre-defined data types.
Non-primitive data types are called reference types because they refer to objects. The main difference between primitive and non-primitive data types are: Primitive types are predefined (already defined) in Java.Non-primitive types are created by the programmer and is not defined by Java (except for String ).
Primitive data types specify the size and type of variable values. They are the building blocks of data manipulation and cannot be further divided into simpler data types. There are 8 Primitive data types in Java – Boolean, char, byte, int, short, long, float, and double.
It is also known as a primitive data type. A derived data type is basically an aggregation of the fundamental data type. Void, Float, Integer, and Character are fundamental data types. Structures, Unions, Arrays, and Pointers are the derived data types.
Data structure is typically classified into two main buckets: linear data structure and non-linear data structure. Linear data means the information is sequential. Non-linear data means the data types are not dependent on a sequence — rather the data is hierarchical, often tree or graph-based.
Data comprises raw, unprocessed facts that need context to become useful, while information is data that has been processed, organized, and interpreted to add meaning and value. This explanation sets the stage for how businesses can transform data into strategic assets through effective knowledge management.
Data can also be defined by whether they represent some intrinsic characteristic of the feature being measured (absolute), or whether they are in a sense “created” (derived).
In C++, there are five basic data types: int, float, char, bool, and double. Integers, floating-point numbers, characters, Boolean values, & double-precision floating-point numbers are each represented by one of these data types.
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