Which data type represents whole numbers, including positive and negative values?

The correct answer is indeed the data type that represents whole numbers, which is known as an integer. Integers are used in programming to store numeric values that do not have a fractional or decimal component. This means any whole number, whether it is positive, negative, or zero, fits into this category.

In many programming languages, integers can be manipulated through various mathematical operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, making them fundamental for numerous applications involving counting, indexing, or mathematical calculations.

The other options represent different types of data: float is used for numbers that can have decimal points, string represents sequences of characters or text, and boolean is used to represent true/false values. These types do not encompass the concept of whole numbers in the way that integers do, which is why the integer data type is the most suitable choice for representing whole numbers, both positive and negative.