Identifying Variable Use and Syntax

Variables are used to store and retrieve values for programs.

Attribute Variables (variables declared outside of a method and without the keyword static) are called Member or Instance Variables. Instance Variables contain data specific to a particular object instance which is instantiated from a class.

Local Variables are variables defined within methods. They are only used within the method in which they are declared.

Uses for Variables:

• Store unique attribute data for an Object Instance
• Assign the value of one variable to another variable
• Represent values within a mathematical expression
• Print values to screen
• Hold references to other objects

Variable Declaration and Initialization:

Instance Variable Syntax:
[modifiers] type identifier [=value];

Local Variable Syntax:
type identifier;
identifier = value;
or
type identifier = [value];

Do not use [modifiers] in Local Variables declaration.