In computer programming, a variable is an abstract storage location paired with an associated symbolic name, which contains some known or unknown quantity of data or object referred to as a value). In simpler terms, a variable is a named container for a particular set of bits or type of data (like integer, float, string, etc.) ). Variables are used to store information to be referenced and manipulated in a computer program. They provide a way of labeling data with a descriptive name, so programs can be understood more clearly by the reader and the programmer.
Variables can be mutable, meaning their values can change, or immutable, meaning their value, once assigned, cannot be deleted or altered. If a variables value must conform to a specific data type, it is called a typed variable. There are five types of variables: constants, global variables, class variables, instance variables, and local variables. Each data type prescribes and limits the form of the data.
In mathematics, variables are symbols, often letters, that represent different values in various situations. They help us understand and solve problems with changing values. For example, when calculating total earnings at a job with an hourly wage plus tips, a variable can represent the fluctuating tips, making it easier to determine total income.
In statistics, a variable is any characteristic, number, or quantity that can be measured or counted. Age, sex, business income, and country of birth are examples of variables.
