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Java Variables
Last Updated : 29 Jul, 2024
In Java, Variables are the data containers that save the data values during Java
program execution. Every Variable in Java is assigned a data type that designates
the type and quantity of value it can hold. A variable is a memory location name
for the data.

Variables in Java
Java variable is a name given to a memory location. It is the basic unit of storage
in a program.

The value stored in a variable can be changed during program execution.

Variables in Java are only a name given to a memory location. All the operations
done on the variable affect that memory location.
In Java, all variables must be declared before use.
How to Declare Variables in Java?
We can declare variables in Java as pictorially depicted below as a visual aid.

Variables in Java

From the image, it can be easily perceived that while declaring a variable, we need
to take care of two things that are:

datatype: Type of data that can be stored in this variable.

data_name: Name was given to the variable.
In this way, a name can only be given to a memory location. It can be assigned
values in two ways:

Variable Initialization
Assigning value by taking input
How to Initialize Variables in Java?
It can be perceived with the help of 3 components that are as follows:

datatype: Type of data that can be stored in this variable.

variable_name: Name given to the variable.
value: It is the initial value stored in the variable.
Java Variables Syntax

Illustrations:

// Declaring float variable

float simpleInterest;
// Declaring and initializing integer variable
int time = 10, speed = 20;
// Declaring and initializing character variable
char var = 'h';
Types of Variables in Java
Now let us discuss different types of variables which are listed as follows:

Local Variables
Instance Variables
Static Variables
Types of Variables in Java
Let us discuss the traits of every type of variable listed here in detail.

1. Local Variables
A variable defined within a block or method or constructor is called a local
variable.

The Local variable is created at the time of declaration and destroyed after
exiting from the block or when the call returns from the function.
The scope of these variables exists only within the block in which the variables
are declared, i.e., we can access these variables only within that block.
Initialization of the local variable is mandatory before using it in the defined
scope.
Time Complexity of the Method:
Time Complexity: O(1)
Auxiliary Space: O(1)
Below is the implementation of the above approach:

// Java Program to implement

// Local Variables
import java.io.*;

class GFG {
public static void main(String[] args)
{
// Declared a Local Variable
int var = 10;

// This variable is local to this main method only

System.out.println("Local Variable: " + var);
}
}

Output
Local Variable: 10
Example :

import java.io.*;
public class GFG {
public static void main(String[] args)
{
// x is a local variable
int x = 10;

// message is also a local

// variable
String message = "Hello, world!";

System.out.println("x = " + x);

 System.out.println("message = " + message);

if (x > 5) {
// result is a
// local variable
String result = "x is greater than 5";
System.out.println(result);
}

// Uncommenting the line below will result in a

// compile-time error System.out.println(result);

for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {

String loopMessage
= "Iteration "
+ i; // loopMessage is a local variable
System.out.println(loopMessage);
}

// Uncommenting the line below will result in a

// compile-time error
// System.out.println(loopMessage);
}
}

Output
x = 10
message = Hello, world!
x is greater than 5
Iteration 0
Iteration 1
Iteration 2
2. Instance Variables
Instance variables are non-static variables and are declared in a class outside of
any method, constructor, or block.

As instance variables are declared in a class, these variables are created when an
object of the class is created and destroyed when the object is destroyed.
Unlike local variables, we may use access specifiers for instance variables. If we
do not specify any access specifier, then the default access specifier will be
used.
Initialization of an instance variable is not mandatory. Its default value is
dependent on the data type of variable. For String it is null, for float it is
0.0f, for int it is 0, for Wrapper classes like Integer it is null, etc.
Instance variables can be accessed only by creating objects.
We initialize instance variables using constructors while creating an object. We
can also use instance blocks to initialize the instance variables.
The complexity of the method:
Time Complexity: O(1)
Auxiliary Space: O(1)
Below is the implementation of the above approach:

// Java Program to demonstrate

// Instance Variables
import java.io.*;

class GFG {
 // Declared Instance Variable
public String geek;
public int i;
public Integer I;
public GFG()
{
// Default Constructor
// initializing Instance Variable
this.geek = "Shubham Jain";
}

// Main Method
public static void main(String[] args)
{
// Object Creation
GFG name = new GFG();

// Displaying O/P
System.out.println("Geek name is: " + name.geek);
System.out.println("Default value for int is "
+ name.i);

// toString() called internally

System.out.println("Default value for Integer is "
+ name.I);
}
}

Output
Geek name is: Shubham Jain
Default value for int is 0
Default value for Integer is null
3. Static Variables
Static variables are also known as class variables.

These variables are declared similarly to instance variables. The difference is

that static variables are declared using the static keyword within a class outside
of any method, constructor, or block.
Unlike instance variables, we can only have one copy of a static variable per
class, irrespective of how many objects we create.
Static variables are created at the start of program execution and destroyed
automatically when execution ends.
Initialization of a static variable is not mandatory. Its default value is
dependent on the data type of variable. For String it is null, for float it is
0.0f, for int it is 0, for Wrapper classes like Integer it is null, etc.
If we access a static variable like an instance variable (through an object), the
compiler will show a warning message, which won’t halt the program. The compiler
will replace the object name with the class name automatically.
If we access a static variable without the class name, the compiler will
automatically append the class name. But for accessing the static variable of a
different class, we must mention the class name as 2 different classes might have a
static variable with the same name.
Static variables cannot be declared locally inside an instance method.
Static blocks can be used to initialize static variables.
The complexity of the method:
Time Complexity: O(1)
Auxiliary Space: O(1)
Below is the implementation of the above approach:
// Java Program to demonstrate
// Static variables
import java.io.*;

class GFG {
// Declared static variable
public static String geek = "Shubham Jain";

public static void main(String[] args)

{

// geek variable can be accessed without object

// creation Displaying O/P GFG.geek --> using the
// static variable
System.out.println("Geek Name is : " + GFG.geek);

// static int c=0;

// above line,when uncommented,
// will throw an error as static variables cannot be
// declared locally.
}
}

Output
Geek Name is : Shubham Jain
Differences Between the Instance Variables and the Static Variables
Now let us discuss the differences between the Instance variables and the Static
variables:

Each object will have its own copy of an instance variable, whereas we can only
have one copy of a static variable per class, irrespective of how many objects we
create. Thus, static variables are good for memory management.
Changes made in an instance variable using one object will not be reflected in
other objects as each object has its own copy of the instance variable. In the case
of a static variable, changes will be reflected in other objects as static
variables are common to all objects of a class.
We can access instance variables through object references, and static variables
can be accessed directly using the class name.
Instance variables are created when an object is created with the use of the
keyword ‘new’ and destroyed when the object is destroyed. Static variables are
created when the program starts and destroyed when the program stops.
Syntax: Static and instance variables

class GFG
{
// Static variable
static int a;

// Instance variable
int b;
}
Conclusion
The Important points to remember in the articles are mentioned below:

Variables in Java is a data container that saves the data values during Java
program execution.
There are three types of variables in Java Local variables, static variables, and
instance variables.
FAQs on Variables in Java
What are variables in Java?
Variables are the containers in Java that can store data values inside them.

What are the 3 types of variables in Java?

There are three types of variables in Java are mentioned below:

Local Variables
Static Variables
Instance Variables
How to declare variables in Java examples?
We can declare variables in java with syntax as mentioned below:

data_type variable_name;
Example:

// Integer datatype with var1 name

int var1;
Must Read:
Rules of Variable Declaration in Java
Scope of Variables in Java
Comparison of static keywords in C++ and Java
Are static local variables allowed in Java?
Instance Variable Hiding in Java

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