Can you explain the purpose and usage of data types in Python?

In Python, data types define what kind of values a variable can hold and what operations are permissible on them. This helps the interpreter process data correctly.

Python is a dynamically typed language, meaning the type of a variable is determined automatically at runtime and can change. The main built-in types:

• int — integers
• float — floating-point numbers
• str — strings
• bool — logical values True/False
• list — mutable sequences
• tuple — immutable sequences
• dict — dictionaries (key-value pairs)

Example of using types:

x = 10       # int
x = "hello" # now x is a string

numbers = [1, 2, 3]  # list of integers

if isinstance(x, str):
    print("x is a string")

Types help write correct code, understand data structures, and use appropriate methods.