categorical variables

Categorical variables are types of data that represent groups or categories rather than numbers. They categorize items based on qualities or attributes, such as color, brand, or type of animal. For example, "red," "blue," and "green" are categories of color. These variables help classify data points into distinct groups, making it easier to analyze patterns and differences across categories. They do not have a numerical value or inherent order unless explicitly labeled as ordinal categories, like small, medium, and large.