Variables in Java - GeeksforGeeks

2/23/22, 9:31 PM Variables in Java - GeeksforGeeks
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Variables in Java
Difficulty Level :
Easy ● Last Updated :
31 Dec, 2021
Variable in Java is a data container that saves the data values during Java program execution. Ever y variable is
assigned a data t ype that designates the t ype and quantit y of value it can hold. Variable is a memor y location name
of the data.
A variable is a name given to a memor y location. It is the basic unit of storage in a program.
The value stored in a variable can be changed during program execution.
A variable is only a name given to a memor y location, all the operations done on the variable ef fect s that memor y
location.
In Java, all the variables must be declared before use.
How to declare variables?
We can declare variables in java as pictorially depicted below as a visual aid.
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From the image, it can be easily perceived that while declaring a variable, we need to take care of two things that
are:
1. Datat ype: Type of data that can be stored in this variable.
2. Dataname : Name was given to the variable.
In this way, a name can only be given to a memor y location. It can be assigned values in two ways:
Variable Initialization
A ssigning value by taking input
How to initialize variables?
It can be perceived with the help of 3 component s that are as follows:

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datat ype: Type of data that can be stored in this variable.

variable_name: Name given to the variable.
value: It is the initial value stored in the variable.
Illustrations :
float simpleInterest;
// Declaring float variable
int time = 10, speed = 20;
// Declaring and Initializing integer variable
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char var = 'h';
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// Declaring and Initializing character variable Login Register
Types of Variables in Java
Now let us discuss dif ferent t ypes of variables which are listed as follows:
1. Local Variables
2. Instance Variables
3. Static Variables
Let us discuss the trait s of ever y variable been up here in detail.
1. Local Variables
A variable defined within a block or method or constructor is called a local variable.
These variables are created when the block is entered, or the function is called and destroyed af ter exiting from
the block or when the call returns from the function.
The scope of these variables exist s only within the block in which the variable is declared. i.e., we can access
these variables only within that block.
Initialization of the local variable is mandator y before using it in the defined scope.
2. Instance Variables
Instance variables are non-static variables and are declared in a class out side any method, constructor, or block.
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A s instance variables are declared in a class, these variables are created when an object of the class is created
and destroyed when the object is destroyed.

Unlike local variables, we may use access specifier for instance variables. If we do not specif y any access
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specifier, then the default access specifier will be used.
Initialization of Instance Variable is not Mandator y. It s default value is 0
Instance Variable can be accessed only by creating object s.
3. Static Variables
Static variables are also known as Class variables.
These variables are declared similarly as instance variables. The dif ference is that static variables are declared
using the static keyword within a class out side any method constructor or block.
Unlike instance variables, we can only have one copy of a static variable per class irrespective of how many
object s we create.
Static variables are created at the star t of program execution and destroyed automatically when execution ends.
Initialization of Static Variable is not Mandator y. It s default value is 0
If we access the static variable like the Instance variable (through an object), the compiler will show the warning
message, which won’t halt the program. The compiler will replace the object name with the class name
automatically.
If we access the static variable without the class name, the compiler will automatically append the class name.
Differences between the Instance variable Vs. the Static variables
Now let us do discuss the dif ferences between the Instance variable Vs. the Static variables
Each object will have it s copy of the instance variable, whereas We can only have one copy of a static variable per
class irrespective of how many understood our
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Changes made in an instance variable using one object will not be reflected in other object s as each object has
it s own copy of the instance variable. In the case of static, changes will be reflected in other object s as static

variables are common to all object s of a class.
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We can access instance variables through object references, and Static Variables can be accessed directly using
the class name.
Syntax : Static and instance variables
class GFG
// Static variable
static int a;
// Instance variable
int b;
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Variables in Java | GeeksforGeeks

Must Read:
Scope of Variables in Java
Comparison of static keyword in C++ and Java
Are static local variables allowed in Java?
Instance Variable Hiding in Java
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2/23/22, 9:31 PM Variables in Java - GeeksforGeeks

The value stored in a variable can be changed during program execution.

In Java, all the variables must be declared before use.

How to declare variables?

We can declare variables in java as pictorially depicted below as a visual aid.

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/variables-in-java/#:~:text=Variable in Java is a,given to a memory location. 1/11

Start Your Coding Journey Now! Login Register

1. Datat ype: Type of data that can be stored in this variable.

2. Dataname : Name was given to the variable.

A ssigning value by taking input

How to initialize variables?

It can be perceived with the help of 3 component s that are as follows:

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/variables-in-java/#:~:text=Variable in Java is a,given to a memory location. 2/11

variable_name: Name given to the variable.

value: It is the initial value stored in the variable.

Start Your Coding Journey Now! Login Register

// Declaring float variable

int time = 10, speed = 20;

// Declaring and Initializing integer variable

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/variables-in-java/#:~:text=Variable in Java is a,given to a memory location. 3/11

char var = 'h';

Start Your Coding Journey Now!

Types of Variables in Java

Let us discuss the trait s of ever y variable been up here in detail.

A variable defined within a block or method or constructor is called a local variable.

the block or when the call returns from the function.

these variables only within that block.

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/variables-in-java/#:~:text=Variable in Java is a,given to a memory location. 4/11

and destroyed when the object is destroyed.

Start Your Coding Journey Now!

Initialization of Instance Variable is not Mandator y. It s default value is 0

Instance Variable can be accessed only by creating object s.

Static variables are also known as Class variables.

Initialization of Static Variable is not Mandator y. It s default value is 0

Differences between the Instance variable Vs. the Static variables

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/variables-in-java/#:~:text=Variable in Java is a,given to a memory location. 5/11

Start Your Coding Journey Now!

the class name.

Syntax : Static and instance variables

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