What type of numbers are traditionally referred to as whole numbers?

Whole numbers are defined as the set of non-negative integers that include zero and all positive integers. This means they consist of 0, 1, 2, 3, and so forth, extending infinitely. The concept of whole numbers excludes any fractional or decimal parts, as well as negative numbers.

Choosing positive integers alone (which are 1, 2, 3, and so on) restricts the definition and does not fully capture the essence of whole numbers since zero is a critical component of the whole number set. Additionally, decimal numbers cannot be counted as whole numbers because they include fractional components, and complex numbers involve imaginary units and therefore do not fit within the traditional definition of whole numbers at all.