What is meant by "data types" in Access?

In Microsoft Access, "data types" refer to the classification of information that dictates the kind of data that can be stored in a specific field within a database table. Each data type defines the nature of the data, such as whether it is numeric, text, date/time, currency, memo, or a boolean value (Yes/No). Understanding data types is crucial because it affects how the data is stored, what operations can be performed on it, and how it interacts with other data in the database. For instance, a field designated as a text data type will store alphanumeric characters, while a numeric data type field is specifically for numbers and can support mathematical operations. This structure ensures data integrity and helps to optimize database performance by allowing Access to utilize the appropriate storage mechanisms and indexing methods based on the data being handled.