Variables, Data Types, and Operators in C
In this chapter, we will explore variables, data types, and operators in C programming. These fundamental concepts are essential for storing, manipulating, and processing data in a C program.
3.1 What are Variables?
A variable is a name given to a memory location where data is stored. Variables hold different types of values, such as numbers, characters, or strings, and their values can change during program execution.
Declaring a Variable in C
To use a variable, we must declare it first by specifying its data type and name.
data_type variable_name;
Example:
int age; // Declares a variable named ‘age’ of type integer
float price; // Declares a variable named ‘price’ of type float
char grade; // Declares a variable named ‘grade’ of type char
3.2 Rules for Naming Variables
✔️ A variable name can contain letters, digits, and underscores (_).
✔️ It must start with a letter or an underscore (e.g., _count, num1).
✔️ It cannot be a C keyword (e.g., int, return, float).
✔️ C is case-sensitive (number and Number are different variables).