Variables

• All variables have type.
• Declare by placing the type first, then the variable name.
• You can initialize a variable at the same time:
• int counter = 0;
• Or simply declare it:
• int counter;
• Either way, though, you must end the statement with a semicolon, as you should with any Java statement.
• To name a variable, follow these rules:
• Start with a letter.
• The following characters can be letters, numbers, or the underscore.
• No other special characters are permitted.   Nor is whitespace.
• It is common to start with a lowercase letter, though this is not required.
• Java defines certain reserved rwords that cannot be used as variable names.
• You can declare more than one variable at once:
• boolean hasGrades, paidInFull;
• This delcares hasGrades and paidInFull as boolean type variables.  Note the placement of the comma and the semicolon.
• When declaring variables for objects, it is common to have a variable name that is similar to the object name.  Again, this is not required.
• Car car;
• Car myCar;
• Car userCar;

Created by:  Brandan Jones January 4, 2002