DataType plugins are responsible for defining the available types of data that can be used in the system. For example, the StringData plugin is used to model a simple primitive string. Moreover, they are responsible for interacting with the data itself; things like setting and accessing the respective values.

The DataType plugins are managed by the TypedDataManager and are annotated by the DataType annotation class. They implement the TypedDataInterface and typically extend the TypedData base class or one of its subclasses.

There are three main types of DataType plugins out there, depending on the interface they implement. First, there is the TypedDataInterface I mentioned before; this is typically used for simple primitive values such as strings or integers. Second, there is the ListInterface which is used to form a collection of other TypedData elements. It comes with methods specific to interacting with lists of elements. Third, there is ComplexDataInterface which is used for more complex data formed of multiple properties that have names and can be accessed accordingly. Going forward, we will see examples of all these types.

The best way to understand how these plugins are used is to first talk about data definitions as well.