What defines the type of a programming variable?

The type of a programming variable is defined by the data type of the variable. Data types specify the kind of data that can be stored in the variable and how that data can be manipulated. Common data types include integers, floats, strings, and booleans, each serving different purposes and having distinct characteristics. For instance, an integer data type can only hold whole numbers, while a string can hold sequences of characters.

Choosing the correct data type for a variable is fundamental in programming, as it affects memory allocation, data processing speed, and the operations that can be performed on the variable. This definition is crucial for any programming task, making it the defining feature of a variable's type.