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 ZExamples: This variable holds the name and address of the employee.
