Structuurtype

Structuurtype, in computing often translated as structure type, is a composite data type that groups several named fields, possibly of different primitive types, into a single logical unit. It lets a program model real‑world objects such as a point with x and y coordinates or a person with name and age. The concept appears in many languages under different names—struct in C, record in Pascal, and data types in others.

A structuurtype is declared by listing its fields, each with a name and a type. The type checker ensures that values assigned to or passed through fields have compatible types. Instances can be created with an initializer that assigns initial values to fields; mutability rules determine whether fields can be changed after creation. The memory layout may be contiguous with fixed offsets, and alignment or padding may apply.

Semantics vary by language: in many languages a structuurtype is a value type (copying the whole set of fields on assignment) while in others it is a reference type (the value is passed by reference). Some languages allow methods and constructors to be associated with a structuurtype, supporting encapsulation and behavior alongside data.

Structuurtype is used to group related data, simplify interfaces, and improve readability. They are common in systems programming, data modeling, and API design, and they form the basis for more complex types such as records, unions, or classes in object‑oriented languages.

Example (pseudo): define Point { int x; int y; } then Point p = {3, 4}; p.x = 5;