Assignments and Initializations

• Initialize a variable by assigning a value to it.
• You assign a variable this way:
• variableName = value; where variableName is the name given when declared, and value is either a constant or another variable.
• You must use single =.  This means assignment.  = =, double equals, is comparison.
• If you attempt to use a variable before it has been initialized, the compiler will give you an error.
• Keeping the verbage straight:
• Declare a variable:  simply give a name and type for a variable.
• Initialize a variable: give it an initial value
• Assign a variable: give the variable a value at any time.
• You can declare and initialize in the same step.
float hourlyRate = 8.75F;
float hourlyRate;
hourlyRate = 8.75F;
• Why the F?

Created by:  Brandan Jones January 4, 2002 (Updated January 14, 2003)