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Java - Variable Types
What is a Java Variable?
A variable provides us with named storage that our programs can manipulate. Each
variable in Java has a specific type, which determines the size and layout of the variable's
memory; the range of values that can be stored within that memory; and the set of
operations that can be applied to the variable.
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Variable Declaration and Initialization
You must declare all variables before they can be used. Java variables are declared by
specifying the data type followed by the variable name. To assign a value, use the
assignment (=) operator followed by the value. Each declaration or initialization statement
must end with a semicolon (;).
Syntax
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Following is the basic form of a variable declaration −
data type variable [ = value][, variable [ = value] ...] ;
Here data type is one of Java's data types and variable is the name of the variable. To
declare more than one variable of the specified type, you can use a comma-separated list.
Example of Valid Variables Declarations and Initializations
Following are valid examples of variable declaration and initialization in Java −
int a, b, c; // Declares three ints, a, b, and c.
int a = 10, b = 10; // Example of initialization
byte B = 22; // initializes a byte type variable B.
double pi = 3.14159; // declares and assigns a value of PI.
char a = 'a'; // the char variable a iis initialized with value 'a'
Java Variables Types
The following are the three types of Java variables:
Local variables
Instance variables
Class/Static variables
1. Java Local Variables
Local variables are declared in methods, constructors, or blocks.
Local variables are created when the method, constructor or block is entered and
the variable will be destroyed once it exits the method, constructor, or block.
Access modifiers cannot be used for local variables.
Local variables are visible only within the declared method, constructor, or block.
Local variables are implemented at stack level internally.
There is no default value for local variables, so local variables should be declared
and an initial value should be assigned before the first use.
Example 1: Variable's local scope with initialization
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Here, age is a local variable. This is defined inside pupAge() method and its scope is limited
to only this method.
public class Test {
public void pupAge() {
int age = 0;
age = age + 7;
[Link]("Puppy age is : " + age);
}
public static void main(String args[]) {
Test test = new Test();
[Link]();
}
}
Output
Puppy age is: 7
Example 2: Variable's local scope without initialization
Following example uses age without initializing it, so it would give an error at the time of
compilation.
public class Test {
public void pupAge() {
int age;
age = age + 7;
[Link]("Puppy age is : " + age);
}
public static void main(String args[]) {
Test test = new Test();
[Link]();
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}
}
Output
[Link][Link]variable number might not have been initialized
age = age + 7;
^
1 error
2. Java Instance Variables
Instance variables are declared in a class, but outside a method, constructor or any
block.
When a space is allocated for an object in the heap, a slot for each instance
variable value is created.
Instance variables are created when an object is created with the use of the
keyword 'new' and destroyed when the object is destroyed.
Instance variables hold values that must be referenced by more than one method,
constructor or block, or essential parts of an object's state that must be present
throughout the class.
Instance variables can be declared in class level before or after use.
Access modifiers can be given for instance variables.
The instance variables are visible for all methods, constructors and block in the
class. Normally, it is recommended to make these variables private (access level).
However, visibility for subclasses can be given for these variables with the use of
access modifiers.
Instance variables have default values. For numbers, the default value is 0, for
Booleans it is false, and for object references it is null. Values can be assigned
during the declaration or within the constructor.
Instance variables can be accessed directly by calling the variable name inside the
class. However, within static methods (when instance variables are given
accessibility), they should be called using the fully qualified name.
[Link].
Example of Java Instance Variables
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import [Link].*;
public class Employee {
// this instance variable is visible for any child class.
public String name;
// salary variable is visible in Employee class only.
private double salary;
// The name variable is assigned in the constructor.
public Employee (String empName) {
name = empName;
}
// The salary variable is assigned a value.
public void setSalary(double empSal) {
salary = empSal;
}
// This method prints the employee details.
public void printEmp() {
[Link]("name : " + name );
[Link]("salary :" + salary);
}
public static void main(String args[]) {
Employee empOne = new Employee("Ransika");
[Link](1000);
[Link]();
}
}
Output
name : Ransika
salary :1000.0
3. Java Class/Static Variables
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Class variables also known as static variables are declared with the static keyword
in a class, but outside a method, constructor or a block.
There would only be one copy of each class variable per class, regardless of how
many objects are created from it.
Static variables are rarely used other than being declared as constants. Constants
are variables that are declared as public/private, final, and static. Constant variables
never change from their initial value.
Static variables are stored in the static memory. It is rare to use static variables
other than declared final and used as either public or private constants.
Static variables are created when the program starts and destroyed when the
program stops.
Visibility is similar to instance variables. However, most static variables are declared
public since they must be available for users of the class.
Default values are same as instance variables. For numbers, the default value is 0;
for Booleans, it is false; and for object references, it is null. Values can be assigned
during the declaration or within the constructor. Additionally, values can be assigned
in special static initializer blocks.
Static variables can be accessed by calling with the class name
[Link].
When declaring class variables as public static final, then variable names
(constants) are all in upper case. If the static variables are not public and final, the
naming syntax is the same as instance and local variables.
Example of Java Class/Static Variables
import [Link].*;
public class Employee {
// salary variable is a private static variable
private static double salary;
// DEPARTMENT is a constant
public static final String DEPARTMENT = "Development ";
public static void main(String args[]) {
salary = 1000;
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[Link](DEPARTMENT + "average salary:" + salary);
}
}
Output
Development average salary:1000
Note − If the variables are accessed from an outside class, the constant should be
accessed as [Link]
What is Next?
You already have used access modifiers (public & private) in this chapter. The next chapter
will explain Access Modifiers and Non-Access Modifiers in detail.
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