Variable
Most of the time, a JavaScript application needs to work with information. Here are two examples:
An online shop – the information might include goods being sold.
A chat application – the information might include users, messages, and groups and more.
Variables are used to store this information.
There are three different ways to make a variable, which in JavaScript we refer to as declaring a variable. They are:
var
let
const
let
A variable is a “named storage” for data. To create a variable in JavaScript, use the let keyword.
Value = undefined
A variable declared without a value will have the value undefined.
The variable message will have the value undefined after the execution of this statement:
The statement below creates (in other words: declares) a variable with the name “message”:
let message;
Now, we can put some data into it by using the assignment operator =:
let message;
message = 'Hey';
The string is now saved into the memory area associated with the variable. We can access it using the variable name:
let message;
message = 'Hey!';
alert(message);
To be concise, we can combine the variable declaration and assignment into a single line:
let message = 'Hey!';
alert(message);
‼️Note: We can also declare multiple variables in one line
let user = 'Diksha', age = 25, message = 'Hey';
That might seem shorter, but we don’t recommend it. For the sake of better readability, please use a single line per variable.
The multiline variant is a bit longer, but easier to read:
let user = 'Diksha';
let age = 20;
let message = 'Hey';
You can also define multiple variables in this multiline style:
let user = 'Diksha',
age = 20,
message = 'Hey';
Technically, all of these variations accomplish the same task. So, everything comes down to personal preference.
A real-life analogy
If we think of a "variable" as a "box" holding data with a uniquely labelled sticker on it.
For instance, the variable message can be imagined as a box labeled "message" with the value "Hey!" in it:
We are free to put any value in the box and to make as many changes as we like:
let message;
message = 'Hey';
message = 'Hola';
alert(message);
Result:
Copy data from one variable to another
We can also declare two variables and copy data from one into the other.
let greet = 'Hey there!';
let message;
message = greet;
alert(greet);
alert(message);
❌ A repeated declaration of the same variable is an error
let message = "one";
let message = "two";
Therefore, we should declare a variable only once and then refer to it without let
Variable naming
There are three limitations on variable names in JavaScript:
Names can contain letters, digits, underscores, and dollar signs.
Names must begin with a letter.
Names can also begin with $ and _ .
⚠️ Note:
Examples of valid names:
let userName;
let word123;
When the name contains multiple words, camelCase is commonly used. For example: webDevelopment.
The dollar sign '$' and the underscore '_' can also be used in names.
Const
To declare a constant (unchanging) variable, use const instead of let:
const myName = 'Sahil';
❌ Note: Variables declared using const are cannot be reassigned. An attempt to do so would cause an error:
const myName = 'Sahil';
myName = 'sahilChandravanshi';
When a programmer is sure that a variable will never change, they can declare it with const .
var
⚠️ In older scripts, you may also find another keyword: var instead of let
JavaScript
var message = 'Hey';
The var declaration is similar to let. It also declares a variable but in a slightly different, “old-school” way.
There are slight differences between let and var but most of the time we can replace let with var and vice-versa. For now, these differences do not matter for us yet. I'll cover these differences in detail in a later article.
Name things right
The meaning of a variable name should be unambiguous and describe the information it contains.
Variable names can quickly distinguish between code written by a newbie developer and code produced by an expert developer.
Some good-to-follow rules are:
Use human-readable names like userName or shoppingCart.
Stay away from abbreviations like a, b, c, unless you really know what you’re doing.
Make names maximally descriptive and concise.
If you have any difficulties or questions, please make a comment.
