Variables

Variables are small areas in memory that you can use to store a value. This is very important in any programming language as you can imagine.

�

In C# it is quite simple to set up a variable. The syntax is as follows:

�

Variable-Type Variable-Name;

�

This will set up the variable of a selected type with the name you wish.

Here's an example:

�

int myNumber;

�

This has set up an integer variable called myNumber. While setting up a variable it is good to set5 a default value as from time to time there might be some "junk" in it and its good to make sure its a clean variable. So we'll make our number = 0 while we set it up.

�

int myNumber = 0;

�

�

Now we have an integer variable with the number 0 in it so lets output this to the screen.

�

To output a variable we do the same as the Hello World program, except in the Console.WriteLine part we won't use any " and will just type the variable name:

�

int myNumber = 0;
Console.WriteLine(myNumber);
Console.ReadLine();

�

Now if you run that you should see that the number 0 will show on the screen. Now change the number to 100:

int myNumber = 100;

�

Now the screen should show 100.

�

Now we'll create a new variable called myString of the type string. So below your integer add this line:

string myString = "Hello World";

�

And we'll add this as an output too so add this line below our first WriteLine:

Console.Write(myString);

�

Now we have 2 variables and 2 outputs. Well done you now know how to assign and output variable but what if you want to change them? Simple enough, add this after all the Console.Write statements.

�

myNumber = 99;
myString = "Hello Universe";
Console.WriteLine(myNumber);
Console.WriteLine(myString);

�

You should see that when you run it that the first 2 lines are your original variables and the next 2 are your new assignments. How easy was that?

�

Next up we'll be learning how to use different operators such as adding, subtracting and also how to output several variables at once. So if your still interested in C# get your butt over to Chapter 4.

�