Variables in Python

 

Variables

What are Variables?

Variables are names that are used to refer to values. Variables can be used to store data, such as numbers, strings, or lists.

Declaring Variables

To declare a variable in Python, you use the following syntax:

Code snippet

variable_name = value

 

For example, the following code declares a variable called x and assigns it the value 10:

Code snippet

x = 10

 

Variable Names

Variable names can be any combination of letters, numbers, and underscores. The first character of a variable name must be a letter or an underscore.

Here are some rules for naming variables:

• Variable names must start with a letter or an underscore.
• Variable names can contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
• Variable names cannot contain spaces.
• Variable names cannot be the same as keywords.
• Variable names should be descriptive.

Here are some examples of valid variable names:

Code snippet

my_variable
my_function
my_class

 

Here are some examples of invalid variable names:

Code snippet

1variable
my function
class

 

Assigning Values to Variables

Once you have declared a variable, you can assign it a value. To assign a value to a variable, you use the following syntax:

Code snippet

variable_name = value

 

For example, the following code assigns the value 10 to the variable x:

Code snippet

x = 10

 

Accessing Variable Values

Once you have assigned a value to a variable, you can access its value by using its name. To access the value of a variable, you use the following syntax:

Code snippet

variable_name

 

For example, the following code prints the value of the variable x:

Code snippet

print(x)

 

This code will print the value 10.

Changing Variable Values

Once you have assigned a value to a variable, you can change its value. To change the value of a variable, you use the following syntax:

Code snippet

variable_name = new_value

 

For example, the following code changes the value of the variable x to 20:

Code snippet

x = 20

 

Global Variables

Variables that are declared outside of any function are called global variables. Global variables can be accessed from anywhere in the program.

Local Variables

Variables that are declared inside of a function are called local variables. Local variables can only be accessed from within the function in which they are declared.

Using Variables

Variables can be used in a variety of ways in Python. They can be used to store data, to control the flow of execution, and to perform calculations.

Here are some additional tips for using variables effectively:

• Use descriptive variable names.
• Use consistent naming conventions.
• Initialize variables with meaningful values.
• Avoid using global variables unless absolutely necessary.
• Use local variables whenever possible.

 

Conclusion

Variables are a fundamental concept in Python. By understanding how to declare, assign, and access variables, you can write more readable and maintainable Python code.