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Declaring and Using Variables and Constants

This document discusses declaring and using variables and constants in programming. It explains that data is stored in variables in memory and variables can be of different types like numeric, string, etc. Variables are named locations in memory that can change over time, while constants are fixed values. The document outlines declaring variables with a data type and identifier, initializing them, and assigning values. It also covers naming conventions, arithmetic operations, and the differences between variables, constants and literals.

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Arjay Balberan
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29 views12 pages

Declaring and Using Variables and Constants

This document discusses declaring and using variables and constants in programming. It explains that data is stored in variables in memory and variables can be of different types like numeric, string, etc. Variables are named locations in memory that can change over time, while constants are fixed values. The document outlines declaring variables with a data type and identifier, initializing them, and assigning values. It also covers naming conventions, arithmetic operations, and the differences between variables, constants and literals.

Uploaded by

Arjay Balberan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

DECLARING AND USING

VARIABLES AND
CONSTANTS
Declaring and Using Variables
and Constants

Data items
 All the text, numbers, and other information that
are processed by a computer
 Stored in variables in memory

Different forms
 Variables
 Literals, or unnamed constants
 Named constants
Working with Variables
Named memory locations
Contents can vary or differ over time

Declaration

 Statement that provides a data type and an


identifier for a variable
 Identifier
 Variable’s name
Working with Variables (continued)
Data type

 Classification that describes:


 What values can be held by the item
 How the item is stored in computer memory
 What operations can be performed on the data item
 Common Data Types:
 String
 Integer
 Float
 Boolean
Variable initialization with value

 Declare a starting value for any variable


Garbage

 Variable’s unknown value before initialization


Understanding the Data Types of Variables

Numeric variable

 Holds digits
 Can perform mathematical operations on it
String variable

 Can hold text


 Letters of the alphabet
 Special characters such as punctuation marks
Assign data to a variable

 Only if it is the correct type


Naming Variables
Programmer chooses reasonable and descriptive
names for variables
Programming languages have rules for creating

identifiers
 Most languages allow letters and digits
 Some languages allow the use hyphens (-), dollar
sign ($) and underscore (_)
Some languages allow dollar signs or other special

characters
Different limits on the length of variable names
Naming Variables (continued)
Camel casing
 Variable names such as hourlyWage
have a “hump” in the middle
Variable names used throughout:
 Must be one word
 Should have some appropriate meaning
Choosing Identifiers Guidelines

 Give a variable or a constant a name that is a noun

 Use meaningful and descriptive names

 Use pronounceable names

 Be cautious in your use of abbreviations


Assigning Values to Variables
 Assignment statement
myAnswer = myNumber * 2

 Assignment operator
 Equal sign (=)
 Always operates from right to left
 Valid
 someNumber = 2
 someNumber = someOtherNumber
 Not valid
 2 + 4 = someNumber
Performing Arithmetic Operations
 Standard arithmetic operators:
 + (plus sign) - addition
 − (minus sign) - subtraction

 * (asterisk) - multiplication

 / (slash) – division

 % (percent sign) - modulus


Understanding Constants and Literals

 Constants is a data type that refer to fixed values


that the program may not alter and they are called
literals.
 Constants are treated just like regular variables
except that their values cannot be modified after
their definition.
 A Literal is notation for representing a fixed value of
the data type constant. A literal is not a name, it is
the value itself. 
Assignment:
 Research about:
 Flowchart and Psuedocode
 Flowcharting Symbols and Functions
 Basic Control Structure of Flowchart

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