Variables and input/output

Mohamed MESSABIHI
[email protected]

University of Tlemcen
Department of Computer Science

https://sites.google.com/site/informatiquemessabihi/
 Variable

Question: Write a program that calculates the sum of two integers.

• The computer needs to remember the two integers before
performing the addition operation.
• Therefore, it needs memory!
 Variable

Question: Write a program that calculates the sum of two integers.

• The computer needs to remember the two integers before
performing the addition operation.
• Therefore, it needs memory!
 Variable

Question: Write a program that calculates the sum of two integers.

• The computer needs to remember the two integers before
performing the addition operation.
• Therefore, it needs memory!
 How RAM Works

1. Addresses: An address is a number that allows the computer to

locate itself in RAM.
2. Values: At each address, you can store a value (a number). You
can only store one number per address!
Problem
This memory can only store numbers? What about storing words, for
example?
 How RAM Works

1. Addresses: An address is a number that allows the computer to

locate itself in RAM.
2. Values: At each address, you can store a value (a number). You
can only store one number per address!
Problem
This memory can only store numbers? What about storing words, for
example?
 How RAM Works

1. Addresses: An address is a number that allows the computer to

locate itself in RAM.
2. Values: At each address, you can store a value (a number). You
can only store one number per address!
Problem
This memory can only store numbers? What about storing words, for
example?
 How RAM Works

1. Addresses: An address is a number that allows the computer to

locate itself in RAM.
2. Values: At each address, you can store a value (a number). You
can only store one number per address!
Problem
This memory can only store numbers? What about storing words, for
example?
 Variable Concept

• A variable is temporary information that we store in memory.

• It is called a "variable" because it is a value that can change during

program execution.

• In the C language, a variable consists of two things:

1. a name: this is what allows us to recognize it. In programming, we

don’t need to remember the memory address; we just indicate
variable names. The compiler will convert the name into the address.

2. a value: this is the number it stores, for example, 7;

 Variable Concept

• A variable is temporary information that we store in memory.

• It is called a "variable" because it is a value that can change during

program execution.

• In the C language, a variable consists of two things:

1. a name: this is what allows us to recognize it. In programming, we

don’t need to remember the memory address; we just indicate
variable names. The compiler will convert the name into the address.

2. a value: this is the number it stores, for example, 7;

 Variable Concept

• A variable is temporary information that we store in memory.

• It is called a "variable" because it is a value that can change during

program execution.

• In the C language, a variable consists of two things:

1. a name: this is what allows us to recognize it. In programming, we

don’t need to remember the memory address; we just indicate
variable names. The compiler will convert the name into the address.

2. a value: this is the number it stores, for example, 7;

 Variable Concept

• A variable is temporary information that we store in memory.

• It is called a "variable" because it is a value that can change during

program execution.

• In the C language, a variable consists of two things:

1. a name: this is what allows us to recognize it. In programming, we

don’t need to remember the memory address; we just indicate
variable names. The compiler will convert the name into the address.

2. a value: this is the number it stores, for example, 7;

 Variable Concept

• A variable is temporary information that we store in memory.

• It is called a "variable" because it is a value that can change during

program execution.

• In the C language, a variable consists of two things:

1. a name: this is what allows us to recognize it. In programming, we

don’t need to remember the memory address; we just indicate
variable names. The compiler will convert the name into the address.

2. a value: this is the number it stores, for example, 7;

 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
 Naming Variables
In most programming languages, there are some constraints and
conventions to follow when naming variables:

• You can only use lowercase and uppercase letters and numbers
(abcABC012);

• Your variable name must start with a letter;

• Spaces are not allowed. Instead, you can use the underscore
character _. It is the only character different from letters and
numbers that is allowed;

• You are not allowed to use accents (éàê, etc.).

Example
Which variable names are correct: age, mail, name, score, my-book,
phone_number, prénom, main.
Some Good Practices for Naming Your Variables

• Every programmer has his way of naming variables;

• Start all variable names with a lowercase letter;

• If there are multiple words in the variable name, capitalize the first
letter of each new word. For example: bookTitle or
lastChangedParameter

• Make sure to give your variables meaningful and descriptive names.

While it might be tempting to shorten "lastChangedParameter" to
"lcp" for brevity, this abbreviation can obscure the variable’s purpose
when reviewing your code. Therefore, don’t hesitate to use slightly
longer names to maintain clarity and understanding.
Some Good Practices for Naming Your Variables

• Every programmer has his way of naming variables;

• Start all variable names with a lowercase letter;

• If there are multiple words in the variable name, capitalize the first
letter of each new word. For example: bookTitle or
lastChangedParameter

• Make sure to give your variables meaningful and descriptive names.

While it might be tempting to shorten "lastChangedParameter" to
"lcp" for brevity, this abbreviation can obscure the variable’s purpose
when reviewing your code. Therefore, don’t hesitate to use slightly
longer names to maintain clarity and understanding.
Some Good Practices for Naming Your Variables

• Every programmer has his way of naming variables;

• Start all variable names with a lowercase letter;

• If there are multiple words in the variable name, capitalize the first
letter of each new word. For example: bookTitle or
lastChangedParameter

• Make sure to give your variables meaningful and descriptive names.

While it might be tempting to shorten "lastChangedParameter" to
"lcp" for brevity, this abbreviation can obscure the variable’s purpose
when reviewing your code. Therefore, don’t hesitate to use slightly
longer names to maintain clarity and understanding.
Some Good Practices for Naming Your Variables

• Every programmer has his way of naming variables;

• Start all variable names with a lowercase letter;

• If there are multiple words in the variable name, capitalize the first
letter of each new word. For example: bookTitle or
lastChangedParameter

• Make sure to give your variables meaningful and descriptive names.

While it might be tempting to shorten "lastChangedParameter" to
"lcp" for brevity, this abbreviation can obscure the variable’s purpose
when reviewing your code. Therefore, don’t hesitate to use slightly
longer names to maintain clarity and understanding.
 Variable Types
• There are several types of numbers: 327, 47.10, -38,
-68597.00007654
• When you create a variable, you must indicate its type,
• Here are the main types of variables in the C language:

1. For an integer, you will most often use int;

2. For a real (or decimal) number, you will generally use double.
 Variable Types
• There are several types of numbers: 327, 47.10, -38,
-68597.00007654
• When you create a variable, you must indicate its type,
• Here are the main types of variables in the C language:

1. For an integer, you will most often use int;

2. For a real (or decimal) number, you will generally use double.
 Variable Types
• There are several types of numbers: 327, 47.10, -38,
-68597.00007654
• When you create a variable, you must indicate its type,
• Here are the main types of variables in the C language:

1. For an integer, you will most often use int;

2. For a real (or decimal) number, you will generally use double.
 Variable Types
• There are several types of numbers: 327, 47.10, -38,
-68597.00007654
• When you create a variable, you must indicate its type,
• Here are the main types of variables in the C language:

1. For an integer, you will most often use int;

2. For a real (or decimal) number, you will generally use double.
 Variable Types
• There are several types of numbers: 327, 47.10, -38,
-68597.00007654
• When you create a variable, you must indicate its type,
• Here are the main types of variables in the C language:

1. For an integer, you will most often use int;

2. For a real (or decimal) number, you will generally use double.
 Variable Types
• There are several types of numbers: 327, 47.10, -38,
-68597.00007654
• When you create a variable, you must indicate its type,
• Here are the main types of variables in the C language:

1. For an integer, you will most often use int;

2. For a real (or decimal) number, you will generally use double.
 Declaring a Variable
You must declare variables at the beginning of functions. Just do the
following:
1. Specify the type of the variable you want to create;
2. Insert a space;
3. Specify the name you want to give to the variable;
4. Finally, don’t forget the semicolon.

Example:

int main ()
{
int age ;
double salary ;
unsigned int sum , studentNumber , coefficient ;

return 0;
}
 Declaring a Variable
You must declare variables at the beginning of functions. Just do the
following:
1. Specify the type of the variable you want to create;
2. Insert a space;
3. Specify the name you want to give to the variable;
4. Finally, don’t forget the semicolon.

Example:

int main ()
{
int age ;
double salary ;
unsigned int sum , studentNumber , coefficient ;

return 0;
}
 Declaring a Variable
You must declare variables at the beginning of functions. Just do the
following:
1. Specify the type of the variable you want to create;
2. Insert a space;
3. Specify the name you want to give to the variable;
4. Finally, don’t forget the semicolon.

Example:

int main ()
{
int age ;
double salary ;
unsigned int sum , studentNumber , coefficient ;

return 0;
}
 Declaring a Variable
You must declare variables at the beginning of functions. Just do the
following:
1. Specify the type of the variable you want to create;
2. Insert a space;
3. Specify the name you want to give to the variable;
4. Finally, don’t forget the semicolon.

Example:

int main ()
{
int age ;
double salary ;
unsigned int sum , studentNumber , coefficient ;

return 0;
}
 Declaring a Variable
You must declare variables at the beginning of functions. Just do the
following:
1. Specify the type of the variable you want to create;
2. Insert a space;
3. Specify the name you want to give to the variable;
4. Finally, don’t forget the semicolon.

Example:

int main ()
{
int age ;
double salary ;
unsigned int sum , studentNumber , coefficient ;

return 0;
}
 Assigning a Value to a Variable

Simply specify the variable name, then an equal sign (=), and finally the
value you want to put there.

Example:

# include < stdio .h >

# include < stdlib .h >

int main ()
{
int studen tNumbe rs ;
stu dentNu mbers = 240;

return 0;
}
 Initializing a Variable
• When you declare a variable, what value does it have at the
beginning?
• Initializing a variable means combining the declaration and
assignment of that variable in the same statement
• The advantage is that you are sure that this variable contains a
correct value, not just anything.
Example:

# include < stdio .h >

# include < stdlib .h >

int main ()
{
int studen tNumbe rs = 240;

stu dentNu mbers = 260

stu dentNu mbers = 255
stu dentNu mbers = 258

return 0;
}
 Initializing a Variable
• When you declare a variable, what value does it have at the
beginning?
• Initializing a variable means combining the declaration and
assignment of that variable in the same statement
• The advantage is that you are sure that this variable contains a
correct value, not just anything.
Example:

# include < stdio .h >

# include < stdlib .h >

int main ()
{
int studen tNumbe rs = 240;

stu dentNu mbers = 260

stu dentNu mbers = 255
stu dentNu mbers = 258

return 0;
}
 Initializing a Variable
• When you declare a variable, what value does it have at the
beginning?
• Initializing a variable means combining the declaration and
assignment of that variable in the same statement
• The advantage is that you are sure that this variable contains a
correct value, not just anything.
Example:

# include < stdio .h >

# include < stdlib .h >

int main ()
{
int studen tNumbe rs = 240;

stu dentNu mbers = 260

stu dentNu mbers = 255
stu dentNu mbers = 258

return 0;
}
 Initializing a Variable
• When you declare a variable, what value does it have at the
beginning?
• Initializing a variable means combining the declaration and
assignment of that variable in the same statement
• The advantage is that you are sure that this variable contains a
correct value, not just anything.
Example:

# include < stdio .h >

# include < stdlib .h >

int main ()
{
int studen tNumbe rs = 240;

stu dentNu mbers = 260

stu dentNu mbers = 255
stu dentNu mbers = 258

return 0;
}
 Displaying a Variable

We use printf in a similar way to display text, except that we add a

special symbol where we want to display the variable’s value. For
example:

Example:

int main ()
{
int studen tNumbe rs = 240;
printf ( " Il y a % d etudiants inscrits . " ,
stud entNum bers ) ;
...

The letter after % indicates what should be displayed. ’d’ means we

want to display an int.
 Displaying a Variable

We use printf in a similar way to display text, except that we add a

special symbol where we want to display the variable’s value. For
example:

Example:

int main ()
{
int studen tNumbe rs = 240;
printf ( " Il y a % d etudiants inscrits . " ,
stud entNum bers ) ;
...

The letter after % indicates what should be displayed. ’d’ means we

want to display an int.
Displaying Multiple Variables with a Single printf
• It is possible to display the values of multiple variables in a single
printf. To do this, you need to specify %d or %f where you want,
and then specify the corresponding variables in the same order,
separated by commas.

Example:

int main ()
{
int studen tNumbe rs = 240;
double average = 14.5 ;

printf ( " Il y a % d etudiants inscrits avec une

moyenne de % f en Bac " , studentNumbers ,
moyenneBac ) ;

return 0;
}
 Ask the user to enter a value of a variable
• We use another ready-made function called scanf.
• This function is similar to printf. You must specify a format to
indicate what the user needs to enter (int, float, etc.)
• Then you must specify the name of the variable that will receive the
number.

Example:

int main ()
{
int age = 0;
scanf ( " % d " , & age ) ;

return 0;
}

• %d must be enclosed in quotes.

• Furthermore, you must put the & symbol in front of the variable
name that will receive the value.
 Ask the user to enter a value of a variable
• We use another ready-made function called scanf.
• This function is similar to printf. You must specify a format to
indicate what the user needs to enter (int, float, etc.)
• Then you must specify the name of the variable that will receive the
number.

Example:

int main ()
{
int age = 0;
scanf ( " % d " , & age ) ;

return 0;
}

• %d must be enclosed in quotes.

• Furthermore, you must put the & symbol in front of the variable
name that will receive the value.
 Ask the user to enter a value of a variable
• We use another ready-made function called scanf.
• This function is similar to printf. You must specify a format to
indicate what the user needs to enter (int, float, etc.)
• Then you must specify the name of the variable that will receive the
number.

Example:

int main ()
{
int age = 0;
scanf ( " % d " , & age ) ;

return 0;
}

• %d must be enclosed in quotes.

• Furthermore, you must put the & symbol in front of the variable
name that will receive the value.
 Ask the user to enter a value of a variable
• We use another ready-made function called scanf.
• This function is similar to printf. You must specify a format to
indicate what the user needs to enter (int, float, etc.)
• Then you must specify the name of the variable that will receive the
number.

Example:

int main ()
{
int age = 0;
scanf ( " % d " , & age ) ;

return 0;
}

• %d must be enclosed in quotes.

• Furthermore, you must put the & symbol in front of the variable
name that will receive the value.
 Ask the user to enter a value of a variable
• We use another ready-made function called scanf.
• This function is similar to printf. You must specify a format to
indicate what the user needs to enter (int, float, etc.)
• Then you must specify the name of the variable that will receive the
number.

Example:

int main ()
{
int age = 0;
scanf ( " % d " , & age ) ;

return 0;
}

• %d must be enclosed in quotes.

• Furthermore, you must put the & symbol in front of the variable
name that will receive the value.
 Ask the user to enter a value of a variable
• We use another ready-made function called scanf.
• This function is similar to printf. You must specify a format to
indicate what the user needs to enter (int, float, etc.)
• Then you must specify the name of the variable that will receive the
number.

Example:

int main ()
{
int age = 0;
scanf ( " % d " , & age ) ;

return 0;
}

• %d must be enclosed in quotes.

• Furthermore, you must put the & symbol in front of the variable
name that will receive the value.
 A Little Example to Conclude

A simple program that asks the user’s age and then displays it:

Example:

int main ()
{
int age = 0; // We initialize the variable to 0

printf ( " How old are you ? " ) ;

scanf ( " % d " , & age ) ; // We ask to enter the age with scanf
printf ( " Ah ! So you are % d years old !\ n \ n " , age ) ; "

return 0;
}
 Simple Addition Calculator Program
Example:

int main ()
{
int result = 0 , number1 = 0 , number2 = 0;

// We ask the user for numbers 1 and 2:

printf ( " Enter number 1: " ) ;
scanf ( " % d " , & number1 ) ;
printf ( " Enter number 2: " ) ;
scanf ( " % d " , & number2 ) ;

// We perform the calculation :

result = number1 + number2 ;

// And we display the addition on the screen :

printf ( " % d + % d = % d \ n " , number1 , number2 , result ) ;

return 0;
}