What type of data does the double data type represent in programming?

The double data type represents decimal numbers in programming. It is a floating-point type, which means it is capable of storing numbers that have a fractional component. This allows for a much broader range of values than integers, which can only represent whole numbers. Doubles are often used in calculations where precision is crucial, such as in financial applications or scientific computations, where accurate representation of numbers with fractions is necessary.

In contrast, whole numbers are represented by different data types such as integers, binary values are typically represented using boolean data types, and text characters are stored as string or character types. Each of these other data types serves a specific purpose, but the double type is specifically designed for handling decimal values.