Variables

Introduction

A running program need to store and refer to values. "A variable is a storage location [...]" (JLS3), that can hold a value.

A variable has a name, so that it is possible to refer to it. A variable has a type, so that it is certain what type of value it contains, and what operators that may be used with the variable. Finally, a variable has a value that it stores, which is the reason why variables are necessary in programs in the first place.

Local Variables

A local variable is a variable inside a method block. All local variables must be declared and initialized before they are used.

public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
  int theAnswer; // declaration
  theAnswer = 42; // initialization
}
}

Here, the type is int, the variable is theAnswer, the operator is = and the value is 42.

The variable is declared and initialized in two steps.

public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
  int theAnswer = 42; // declaration and initialization
}
}

The variable is declared and initialized in one single step.

This is a somewhat simplified grammar rule for the declaration:

LocalVariableDeclaration =

Type, Identifier, '=', Literal ';' ;

Concept: Every variable has a type.