4.3. Variables

One of the most powerful features of a programming language is the ability to manipulate variables. A variable is a name that refers to a value. Recall that a value is a single, specific piece of data, such as a specific number or string. Variables allow us to store values for later use.

A useful visual analogy for how a variable works is that of a label that points to a piece of data.

A variable can be visualized as a label pointing to a specific piece of data.

In this figure, the name programmingLanguage points to the string value "JavaScript". This is more than an analogy, since it also is representative of how a variable and its value are stored in a computer's memory.

With this analogy in mind, let's look at how we can formally create variables in JavaScript.

4.3.1. Declaring and Initializing Variables With let

To create a variable in JavaScript, create a new name for the variable and precede it with the keyword let:

let programmingLanguage;

This creates a variable named programmingLanguage. The act of creating a variable is referred to as variable declaration, or simply declaration.

Once a variable has been declared, it may be given a value using an assignment statement, which uses = to give a variable a value.

let programmingLanguage;
programmingLanguage = "JavaScript";

The act of assigning a variable a value for the first time is called initialization.

The first line creates a variable that does not yet have a value. The variable is a label that does not point to any data.

The result of let programmingLanguage;

The second line assigns the variable a value, which connects the name to the given piece of data.

The result of programmingLanguage = "JavaScript";

It is possible to declare and initialize a variable with a single line of code. This is the most common way to create a variable.

let programmingLanguage = "JavaScript";

Warning

You will see some programmers use var to create a variable in JavaScript, like this:

var programmingLanguage = "JavaScript";

While this is valid syntax, you should NOT use var to declare a variable. Using var is old JavaScript syntax, and it differs from let in important ways that we will learn about later. When you see examples using var, use let instead.

If you're curious, read about the differences between var and let.

To give a variable a value, use the assignment operator, =. This operator should not be confused with the concept of equality, which expresses whether two things are the "same" (we will see later that equality uses the === operator). The assignment statement links a name, on the left-hand side of the operator, with a value, on the right-hand side. This is why you will get an error if you try to run:

"JavaScript" = programmingLanguage;

An assignment statement must have the name on the left-hand side, and the value on the right-hand side.

Tip

To avoid confusion when reading or writing code, say to yourself:

programmingLanguage is assigned 'JavaScript'

or

programmingLanguage gets the value 'JavaScript'.

Don't say:

programmingLanguage equals 'JavaScript'.

Warning

What if, by mistake, you leave off let when declaring a variable?

programmingLanguage = "JavaScript";

Contrary to what you might expect, JavaScript will not complain or throw an error. In fact, creating a variable without let is valid syntax, but it results in very different behavior. Such a variable will be a global variable, which we will discuss later.

The main point to keep in mind for now is that you should always use let unless you have a specific reason not to do so.

4.3.2. Evaluating Variables

After a variable has been created, it may be used later in a program anywhere a value may be used. For example, console.log prints a value, we can also give console.log a variable.

Example

These two examples have the exact same output.

console.log("Hello, World!");

let message = "Hello, World!";
console.log(message);

When we refer to a variable name, we are evaluating the variable. The effect is just as if the value of the variable is substituted for the variable name in the code when executed.

Example

let message = "What's up, Doc?";
let n = 17;
let pi = 3.14159;

console.log(message);
console.log(n);
console.log(pi);

Console Output

What's up, Doc?
17
3.14159

In each case, the printed result is the value of the variable.

Like values, variables also have types. We determine the type of a variable the same way we determine the type of a value, using typeof.

Example

let message = "What's up, Doc?";
let n = 17;
let pi = 3.14159;

console.log(typeof message);
console.log(typeof n);
console.log(typeof pi);

Console Output

string
number
number

The type of a variable is the type of the data it currently refers to.

4.3.3. Reassigning Variables

We use variables in a program to "remember" things, like the current score at the football game. As their name implies, variables can change over time, just like the scoreboard at a football game. You can assign a value to a variable, and later assign it a different value.

To see this, read and then run the following program in a code editor. You'll notice that we change the value of day three times, and on the third assignment we even give it a value that is of a different data type.

 let day = "Thursday";
 console.log(day);

 day = "Friday";
 console.log(day);

 day = 21;
 console.log(day);

A great deal of programming involves asking the computer to remember things. For example, we might want to keep track of the number of missed calls on your phone. Each time another call is missed, we can arrange to update a variable so that it will always reflect the correct total of missed calls.

Note

We only use let when declaring a variable, that is, when we create it. We do NOT use let when reassigning the variable to a different value. In fact, doing so will result in an error.

4.3.4. Check Your Understanding

Question

What is printed when the following code executes?

 let day = "Thursday";
 day = 32.5;
 day = 19;
 console.log(day);

1. Nothing is printed. A runtime error occurs.

2. Thursday

3. 32.5

4. 19

Question

How can you determine the type of a variable?

1. Print out the value and determine the data type based on the value printed.

2. Use typeof.

3. Use it in a known equation and print the result.

4. Look at the declaration of the variable.

Question

Which line is an example of variable initialization? (Note: only one line is such an example.)

let a;
a = 42;
a = a + 3;