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C++ 2

The document provides an overview of variables in C++, including their types (int, double, char, string, bool) and how to declare and assign them. It explains the syntax for creating variables, the use of constants, and how to display and manipulate variables. Additionally, it outlines the rules for naming variables, emphasizing the importance of unique and descriptive identifiers.

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Hack Fin
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2 views

C++ 2

The document provides an overview of variables in C++, including their types (int, double, char, string, bool) and how to declare and assign them. It explains the syntax for creating variables, the use of constants, and how to display and manipulate variables. Additionally, it outlines the rules for naming variables, emphasizing the importance of unique and descriptive identifiers.

Uploaded by

Hack Fin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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C++ Variables

Variables are containers for storing data values.

In C++, there are different types of variables (defined with different keywords),
for example:

 int - stores integers (whole numbers), without decimals, such as 123 or -


123
 double - stores floating point numbers, with decimals, such as 19.99 or -
19.99
 char - stores single characters, such as 'a' or 'B'. Char values are
surrounded by single quotes
 string - stores text, such as "Hello World". String values are surrounded
by double quotes
 bool - stores values with two states: true or false

Declaring (Creating) Variables


To create a variable, you must specify the type and assign it a value:

Syntax
type variable = value;

Where type is one of C++ types (such as int), and variable is the name of the
variable (such as x or myName). The equal sign is used to assign values to the
variable.

To create a variable that should store a number, look at the following example:

Example
Create a variable called myNum of type int and assign it the value 15:

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main() {
int myNum = 15;

cout << myNum;

return 0;

}Run example »

You can also declare a variable without assigning the value, and assign the
value later:

Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
int myNum;
myNum = 15;
cout << myNum;
return 0;
}
Run example »

Note that if you assign a new value to an existing variable, it will overwrite the
previous value:

Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
int myNum = 15; // Now myNum is 15
myNum = 10; // Now myNum is 10
cout << myNum;
return 0;
}
RunRun example » example »

Constants
However, you can add the const keyword if you don't want others (or yourself)
to override existing values (this will declare the variable as "constant", which
means unchangeable and read-only):

Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
const int myNum = 15;
myNum = 10;
cout << myNum;
return 0;
}Run example »

Other Types
A demonstration of other data types:

Example
int myNum = 5; // Integer (whole number without
decimals)
double myFloatNum = 5.99; // Floating point number (with
decimals)
char myLetter = 'D'; // Character
string myText = "Hello"; // String (text)
bool myBoolean = true; // Boolean (true or false)
You will learn more about the individual types in the Data Types chapter.

Display Variables
The cout object is used together with the << operator to display variables.

To combine both text and a variable, separate them with the << operator:

Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
int myAge = 35;
cout << "I am " << myAge << " years old.";
return 0;
}Run example »

Add Variables Together


To add a variable to another variable, you can use the + operator:

Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
int x = 5;
int y = 6;
int sum = x + y;
cout << sum;
return 0;
}Run example »

Declare Many Variables


To declare more than one variable of the same type, you can use a comma-
separated list:

Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int x = 5, y = 6, z = 50;
cout << x + y + z;
return 0;
}

Run example »

C++ Identifiers
All C++ variables must be identified with unique names.

These unique names are called identifiers.

Identifiers can be short names (like x and y) or more descriptive names (age,
sum, totalVolume).

Note: It is recommended to use descriptive names in order to create


understandable and maintainable code.

The general rules for constructing names for variables (unique identifiers) are:

 Names can contain letters, digits and underscores


 Names must begin with a letter or an underscore (_)
 Names are case sensitive (myVar and myvar are different variables)
 Names cannot contain whitespaces or special characters like !, #, %, etc.
 Reserved words (like C++ keywords, such as int) cannot be used as
names

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