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Code Variables: X Becomes A Shorthand For 7 (Whatever Is in The Box)

The document introduces the concept of variables in code. It explains that a variable acts like a box that can store a value, and that using the assignment operator (=) stores a value into the variable. It notes that variables allow a value to be stored once and then reused across multiple lines of code, avoiding repetition. An example shows assigning the value "7" to the variable x, and then printing x multiple times to retrieve and reuse that stored value.

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Tarun Sahu
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45 views

Code Variables: X Becomes A Shorthand For 7 (Whatever Is in The Box)

The document introduces the concept of variables in code. It explains that a variable acts like a box that can store a value, and that using the assignment operator (=) stores a value into the variable. It notes that variables allow a value to be stored once and then reused across multiple lines of code, avoiding repetition. An example shows assigning the value "7" to the variable x, and then printing x multiple times to retrieve and reuse that stored value.

Uploaded by

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

In this section, I want to add the idea of variables in code.

A "variable" is like a box that holds a value

x = 7;

This stores the value 7 into the variable (i.e. box) x

Later x in the code retrieve the value from the box

x becomes a shorthand for 7 (whatever is in the box)

Using = in this way is called "variable assignment"

VARIABLES IN CS101

How we use variables in CS101:

-Assign a value into a variable once

-Then use that variable many times below

A convenient shorthand in the code


x = 7;
print(x);
print("lucky", x);
print("x is", x);

Experiments: try assigning (=) these values to x: 8,


"hi"

Store a value once, use it on several lines, saving


repetition

= in algebra is different, two things are equal forever

= in code is simple, just puts a value in a box when


run

Variables work as a shorthand -- we = assign a value into a variable, and


then use that variable on later lines to retrieve that value. In the simplest
case, this just works to avoid repeating a value: we store the value once,
and then can use it many times. All computer languages have some form
of variable like this -- storing and retrieving values.

CODE EXAMPLE - THE CURSE


Change the code below so it produces the following output. Use a variable
to store the string "Alice" in a variable on the first line like x = "Alice";,
then use the variable x on the later lines. In this way, changing just the
first line to use the value "Bob" or "Zoe" or whatever changes the output
of the whole program.

Alice Alice Alice

I had a crush on Alice


print(1, 2, "hi");

Show Solution
Next: that's code with variables, now you try it.

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