---
title: Data Types
description: >-
Understanding kScript's type system and the fundamental data types available
for building trading algorithms.
---
Core Concept
5 min read
## Primitive Data Types
The fundamental data types that form the building blocks of kScript. These are the basic values you'll work with in your trading algorithms.
### `number`
Represents numerical values including integers and floating-point numbers. Used for prices, volumes, calculations, and mathematical operations.
```javascript lines wrap
var price = 45000.5;
var volume = 1000;
```
### `string`
Text data used for labels, symbols, exchange names, and configuration values. Essential for identifying assets and displaying information.
```javascript lines wrap
var symbol = 'BTCUSDT';
var exchange = 'BINANCE';
```
### `boolean`
True/false values used for conditional logic, flags, and decision making. Critical for implementing trading conditions and control flow.
```javascript lines wrap
var isUptrend = true;
var showSignals = false;
```
### `na`
Represents "not a number" or missing values. When used in plots, those data points won't be rendered, creating gaps in the visualization. Perfect for conditional indicators.
```javascript lines wrap
plotLine(
(value = condition ? value : na),
(width = 2),
(colors = ['red']),
(label = ['Conditional']),
(desc = ['Conditional Value']),
);
```
## Core kScript Types
Essential types specific to kScript's trading-focused architecture. These handle time-series data and market information.
### `TimeSeries`
The fundamental data structure for time-aligned market data. All price data and indicators are TimeSeries. This is how kScript handles historical data with indexing support.
```javascript lines wrap
timeseries ohlcvData = ohlcv(currentSymbol, currentExchange);
timeseries rsiData = rsi(source=ohlcvData.close, period=14);
```
**Key Features:**
- **Historical Access:** Use `ts[0]`, `ts[1]`, `ts[n]` for current and past values
- **Multi-field Data:** OHLCV exposes `.open`, `.high`, `.low`, `.close`, `.volume`
- **Immutable:** Values cannot be changed once set
- **Global Scope:** Must be declared at the top level
## Input & Configuration Types
Types used for user inputs and script configuration. These help create customizable indicators with user-friendly interfaces.
### `select`
Dropdown selection type for input parameters with predefined choices. Used with `input()` function to create user-friendly dropdown menus.
```javascript lines wrap
var plotType = input(
(name = 'mode'),
(type = 'select'),
(options = ['Line', 'Bar']),
(defaultValue = 'Bar'),
(label = 'Plot Type'),
);
```
### `DataSource`
String identifiers for different types of market data available in the platform. Used with `source()` function to specify what data to fetch.
| Identifier | Description |
| ---------------- | --------------------- |
| `"ohlcv"` | Price and volume data |
| `"funding_rate"` | Funding rates |
| `"liquidations"` | Liquidation data |
### `Position`
Determines where your indicator appears on the chart interface. Used in the `define()` function.
| Value | Description |
| ------------ | --------------------------------- |
| `"onchart"` | Plotted on the main price chart |
| `"offchart"` | Plotted in a separate panel below |
## Visual & Plotting Types
Types specifically for chart visualization and plotting functions. These control the appearance and style of your indicators.
### `color`
Color values for chart visualization and plotting. Supports hex codes, named colors, and RGB values.
```javascript lines wrap
var lineColor = '#FF6B35';
var fillColor = '#008080';
var colors = ['red', 'green', 'blue'];
```
### `ShapeType`
Defines the type of shape to render when using `plotShape` function for marking signals and annotations.
```javascript lines wrap
plotShape(
(value = close),
(shape = 'circle'),
(width = 2),
(colors = ['red']),
(fill = true),
(label = ['Close']),
(desc = ['Close Price Shape']),
);
```
## Practical Examples
Real-world examples showing how different data types work together in kScript to create useful trading indicators and visualizations.
### Color Arrays for Multi-Line Plots
Use color arrays to style multiple data series with different colors:
```javascript lines wrap
//@version=2
define(title="Multi-MA Indicator", position="onchart", axis=true);
timeseries trade = ohlcv(symbol=currentSymbol, exchange=currentExchange);
// Calculate multiple moving averages
timeseries sma20 = sma(source=trade.close, period=20);
timeseries sma50 = sma(source=trade.close, period=50);
// Use color arrays for different lines
var colors = ["#FF6B35", "#3B82F6", "#10B981"];
plotLine(value=sma20, width=2, colors=colors, colorIndex=0, label=["SMA 20"], desc=["20-period Simple Moving Average"]);
plotLine(value=sma50, width=2, colors=colors, colorIndex=1, label=["SMA 50"], desc=["50-period Simple Moving Average"]);
```
### Conditional Plotting with na
Combine boolean conditions with `na` to create indicators that only show when specific conditions are met:
```javascript lines wrap
//@version=2
define(title="50BTC Limit", position="offchart", axis=true);
timeseries trade = ohlcv(symbol=currentSymbol, exchange=currentExchange);
var limit = 50;
// Only plot when volume exceeds limit, otherwise use na
plotLine(value=(trade.volume > limit ? trade.close : na), width=2, colors=["red"], label=["Volume Filtered"], desc=["Volume Filtered Price"])
```
## Type Conversion & Indexing
### TimeSeries Indexing
Access specific price components from OHLCV data:
| Index | Field |
| ----- | --------- |
| 0 | Timestamp |
| 1 | Open |
| 2 | High |
| 3 | Low |
| 4 | Close |
| 5 | Volume |
### Creating TimeSeries
Extract specific data from multi-dimensional TimeSeries:
```javascript lines wrap
timeseries trade = ohlcv(currentSymbol, currentExchange);
// Extract close prices
var close = trade.close;
// Extract volume
var volume = trade.volume;
// Using ShapeType for plotting
plotShape(value=close, shape="circle", width=2, colors=["red"], fill=true, label=["Close"], desc=["Close Price Shape"]);
```
## Best Practices
Use Descriptive Names
Choose clear variable names that indicate the data type and purpose:
timeseries trade = ohlcv(currentSymbol, currentExchange);
var close = trade.close;
Use Appropriate Types
Choose the right data type for your use case to ensure type safety: