What does the 'Double' data type represent in programming?

The 'Double' data type in programming is specifically designed to represent decimal numbers, which are also referred to as floating-point numbers. This data type allows for a far greater precision than other numeric types, such as integers, making it suitable for calculations that require fractional values—such as scientific computations, financial applications, and any situation where precision is crucial.

Doubles can store both very large and very small numbers and include a decimal point, enabling designers to represent values like 3.14, 0.001, or 123456789.987654321. This is in contrast to types that represent whole numbers or different kinds of data, which do not support decimal representation. Therefore, using the Double data type is essential when working with calculations that necessitate a high degree of accuracy and when the distinction between integer and non-integer values is critical.