Final answer:
A structure is a composite data type that can contain multiple different data types, like in an employee record. It allows for organizing complex data by grouping different attributes under one name.
Step-by-step explanation:
A structure is a composite data type that holds data that may consist of many different data types. In your example, an employee record is a structure that can include attributes like an employee's name (a string), salary (an integer), and identification number (which could be a string or an integer), among others. Structures are essential in programming because they allow the grouping of variables of different types under one name, making it easier to manage and organize complex data.
When distinguishing between quantitative and qualitative data types, remember that quantitative data express a numeric quantity and can be either continuous or discrete. Continuous data can take any value within a given range and are often measurements, like distance. Discrete data, on the other hand, can only take certain values and are often counts, like the number of shoes a person owns. Qualitative data refer to non-numeric characteristics or categories, such as the type of car you drive or the type of calculator you use.