Integer types are data types used in programming to represent whole numbers without any decimal points. They can be positive, negative, or zero. Different programming languages may have various integer types, such as int, short, and long, which differ in size and range. For example, a short typically uses 16 bits, while an int usually uses 32 bits, allowing for a larger range of values. The choice of integer type can affect memory usage and performance. Smaller integer types consume less memory but have a limited range, while larger types can store bigger numbers but require more memory. Understanding these differences helps programmers select the appropriate type for their needs.