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Computer Science Variable declaration Scope of variables in C++
programming
Since variables represent a certain
type of data, then, if you want to use a Based on their scopes, variables in C++
variable in a program, you are supposed can be classified into three types. These
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
to define its name and data type. That are local, global, and static variables.
system of expressing variables is known
as variable declaration. It is a call to the (a) Local variables
compiler to prepare a memory size for Local variables are declared within the
a variable in relation to its data type. function block or inside the compound
To declare a variable, use the following statement. The following Program
syntax: datatype variableName. Example 4.8 demonstrates variable
declaration in C++.
Example of variable declaration:
int x; Program Example 4.8:
double area; Variable declaration
char t;
function ()
x, area and t represent variable name, {
while int, double and char represent data int a;
types. double b;
}
Note: If two or more variables are of
the same data type, they can be
grouped as datatype variable1, Variables a and b are defined within the
variable2, ……., variablen;. For block of function, and they can only
example, int x, y, z; be accessed inside that block. Hence,
a and b represent local variables.
Initialising variables (b) Global variables
Initialising variables involves using the
equal sign “=” to assign a value to the Global variables are declared before the
variable. The following syntax is used main function main(). Such variables
to initialise variable: datatype variable can be applied to any function within
the program. Global variables are
= value;. also known as external variables.
The following Program Example 4.9
An example of variable initialization is demonstrates the use of global variables
int i = 56; in C++ program.
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for Advanced Secondary Schools
Computer Science Form 5.indd 242 23/07/2024 12:33

