You are here:About>Computing & Technology>C / C++ / C#> Glossary> V> Variable - Definition
About.comC / C++ / C#

"Definition of Variable"

From David Bolton,
Your Guide to C / C++ / C#.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Definition: A variable is a way of referring to a memory location used in a computer program. This memory location holds values- perhaps numbers or text or more complicated types of data like a payroll record.

Operating Systems load programs into different parts of RAM so there is no way of knowing exactly which memory location will hold a particular variable before the program is run. By giving a variable a symbolic name like "employee_payroll_id" the compiler or interpreter can always work out where to store the variable in memory.

Glossary:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Examples: This variable holds the name and address of the employee.
 All Topics | Email Article | Print this Page | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.