Variables and Constants

Variables
In programming, a variable is a container (storage area) to hold data.

To indicate the storage area, each variable should be given a unique name
(identifier).
Variable names are just the symbolic representation of a memory location.
For example:
int playerScore = 95;
Here, playerScore is a variable of integer type. The variable is holding 95 in the

above code.
The value of a variable can be changed, hence the name 'variable'.
In C programming, you have to declare a variable before you can use it.
2.4 Memory Concepts
• Variables
– Variable names correspond to locations in the
computer's memory
– Every variable has a name, a type, a size and a value
– Whenever a new value is placed into a variable
(through scanf, for example), it replaces (and
destroys) the previous value
– Reading variables from memory does not change
them
• A visual representation
integer1 45
4
What is a Variable? symbol table?
A Variable names a place in memory where you Symbol Addr Value

store a Value of a certain Type. 0
1
You first Define a variable by giving it a name 2
and specifying the type, and optionally an 3
initial value declare vs define?
x 4 ?
y 5 ‘e’ (101)
char x; Initial value of x is undefined
char y=‘e’; 6
7
The compiler puts them
Initial value 8
somewhere in memory.
9
Name What names are legal? 10
Type is single character (char) 11
extern? static? const?

12
5
Rules for writing variable name in C
A variable name can have letters (both uppercase and lowercase letters), digits
and underscore only.
The first letter of a variable should be either a letter or an underscore. However, it

is discouraged to start variable name with an underscore. It is because variable
name that starts with an underscore can conflict with system name and may cause
error.
There is no rule on how long a variable can be. However, the first 31 characters of
a variable are discriminated by the compiler. So, the first 31 letters of two variables
in a program should be different.
Constants/Literals
A constant is a value or an identifier whose value cannot be altered in

a program.
For example: 1, 2.5, "C programming is easy" etc.
As mentioned, an identifier also can be defined as a constant.
const double PI = 3.14
Here, PI is a constant. Basically what it means is that, PI and 3.14 is

same for this program.
Integer constants
A integer constant is a numeric constant (associated with number)

without any fractional or exponential part.
There are three types of integer constants in C programming:

decimal constant(base 10)
octal constant(base 8)
hexadecimal constant(base 16)
For example:
Decimal constants: 0, -9, 22 etc
Octal constants: 021, 077, 033 etc
Hexadecimal constants: 0x7f, 0x2a, 0x521 etc
In C programming, octal constant starts with a 0 and hexadecimal

constant starts with a 0x.
Floating-point constants
A floating point constant is a numeric constant that has either a

fractional form or an exponent form.
For example:
-2.0 0.0000234 -0.22E-5
Note: E-5 = 10-5
Character constants
A character constant is a constant which uses single quotation around
characters.
For example: 'a', 'l', 'm', 'F'

Escape Sequences
Sometimes, it is necessary to use characters which cannot be typed

or has special meaning in C programming.
For example: newline(enter), tab, question mark etc. In order to use

these characters, escape sequence is used.
For example: \n is used for newline. The backslash ( \ ) causes

"escape" from the normal way the characters are interpreted by the
compiler.
Escape Sequences
Escape Sequences Character

\b Backspace
\f Form feed
\n Newline
\r Return
\t Horizontal tab
\v Vertical tab
\\ Backslash
\' Single quotation mark
\" Double quotation mark
\? Question mark
\0 Null character
String constants
String constants are the constants which are enclosed in a pair of double-quote
marks.
For example:
"good" //string constant
"" //null string constant
" " //string constant of six white space
"x" //string constant having single character.
"Earth is round\n“ //prints string with newline
Enumeration constants
Keyword enum is used to define enumeration types.
For example:
enum color {yellow, green, black, white};
Here, color is a variable and yellow, green, black and white are the enumeration
constants having value 0, 1, 2 and 3 respectively. For more information, visit
page: C Enumeration.

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Variables

In programming, a variable is a container (storage area) to hold data.

Here, playerScore is a variable of integer type. The variable is holding 95 in the

The value of a variable can be changed, hence the name 'variable'.

A Variable names a place in memory where you Symbol Addr Value

Type is single character (char) 11

extern? static? const?

The first letter of a variable should be either a letter or an underscore. However, it

A constant is a value or an identifier whose value cannot be altered in

For example: 1, 2.5, "C programming is easy" etc.

As mentioned, an identifier also can be defined as a constant.

const double PI = 3.14

Here, PI is a constant. Basically what it means is that, PI and 3.14 is

A integer constant is a numeric constant (associated with number)

There are three types of integer constants in C programming:

In C programming, octal constant starts with a 0 and hexadecimal

A floating point constant is a numeric constant that has either a

For example: 'a', 'l', 'm', 'F'

Sometimes, it is necessary to use characters which cannot be typed

For example: newline(enter), tab, question mark etc. In order to use

For example: \n is used for newline. The backslash ( \ ) causes

Escape Sequences Character

Keyword enum is used to define enumeration types.

enum color {yellow, green, black, white};

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