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Introduction
Identifiers and variables are two fundamental concepts in programming that are often used interchangeably. However, they have distinct meanings and purposes essential for writing efficient and effective code. Identifiers are used to name programming elements, while variables are used to store data. Identifiers do not have a data type, do not hold a value, and must follow a naming convention.
Variables have a data type, hold a value, and can be named anything.
This blog post will explore the difference between identifier and variable and their significance in programming.
Let us start with the basic information about each of them, and then we will look at the difference between identifier and variable.
what are Identifiers?
Identifiers are names that are given to various programming elements such as variables, functions, classes, etc. They are used to identify and refer to these elements.
Identifiers should be meaningful and descriptive so that it's easy to understand their purpose.
Properties of Identifiers
All the identifiers must be unique in a program.
Identifiers are case-sensitive. For example- ‘hi’ and ‘Hi’ are different identifiers.
Identifiers must be different from keywords.
Some of the rules for naming identifiers in Java are
All the identifiers must start with the alphabet or an underscore.
Identifiers should be continuous, i.e., there should not be any space between the characters. For example- “getOutput” is correct, but “get Output” is wrong.
An identifier name cannot start with a number.
Example of valid identifiers:-
firstNumber
_second
second2
Example of InValid identifiers:-
First number //space in between
123hi //number at the first position
if //Keyword
what are the Variables?
Variables are used to store the data in a program. They are memory locations that hold value.
One can modify the value of a variable during the execution of the program. Variables are declared using an identifier, and the programming language determines the data type they can hold.
Creating and introducing a variable into your program is called the declaration of the variable. It lets the compiler know about the identifier’s name and the type of data it will hold. Once declared, a variable can not change its data type throughout the program.
Syntax of Variables
data_type variable_name;
Built_in data types like int, float, char, double, String, etc., can be used to declare a variable.
For example-
int coding = 5;
float ninjas;
There are two variables given above, coding and ninjas. The variable “coding” is of data type int and has a value of 5. The variable “ninjas” is of type float.
Difference Between Identifier and Variable
Now that we have understood what identifiers and variables are, we will move on to discussing the difference between identifier and variable.
Identifier
Variables
Identifiers are used to name a programming element.
Variables are used to store data.
Identifiers are used to declare variables, functions, classes, etc.
Variables are declared using an identifier.
Identifiers can have a global or local scope. The scope of an identifier determines where it can be accessed in the program.
Variables can have a local or global scope.
Identifiers do not have a data type.
Variables have a datatype. The data type of a variable denotes the kind of data that can be stored in it.
Identifiers do not hold a value.
Variables have a value. The value of a variable can be modified during the execution of the program.
Identifiers must follow a naming convention. Identifiers must be meaningful and descriptive.
Variables do not have naming conventions. They can be named anything.
Since we noted the difference between identifier and variable, let us move on to some FAQs on this topic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an identifier and a keyword?
An identifier is a name given to various programming elements, while a keyword is a reserved word in a programming language that has a specific meaning and cannot be used as an identifier.
Can an identifier and a variable have the same name?
Yes, an identifier and a variable can have the same name. However, it's not recommended as it can lead to confusion and errors, so it is advised to use different names for both.
What is the significance of a variable's data type?
The data type of a variable is representative of and determines the kind of data that is allowed to be stored in it and the operations that can be performed on it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, identifiers and variables are two essential concepts in programming that serve different purposes, so we need to understand the difference between identifiers and variables. An identifier is a name given to elements like variables, functions, arrays, or any user-defined objects in a program. It's a way to refer to the memory location or function in code. A variable, on the other hand, is a specific type of identifier that represents a memory location where data can be stored and manipulated. Identifiers are names, while variables are storage containers with specific data types and values.
Understanding the differences between identifiers and variables is crucial for writing efficient and effective code.
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