Variables in Java

Variable in Java is a data container that saves the data values during Java program execution. Every variable is assigned a data type that designates the type and quantity of value it can hold. A variable is a memory location name for the data.

A variable is a name given to a memory 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 memory location. All the operations done on the variable affect that memory location.
• In Java, all variables must be declared before use.

How to declare variables?

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

From the image, it can be easily perceived that while declaring a variable, we need to take care of two things that are:

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

2. data_name: Name given to the variable. 

In this way, a name can only be given to a memory location. It can be assigned values in two ways: 

• Variable Initialization
• Assigning value by taking input

How to initialize variables?

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

• datatype: 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

char var = 'h'; 
// Declaring and initializing character variable

Types of Variables in Java

Now let us discuss different types of variables which are listed as follows: 

1. Local Variables
2. Instance Variables
3. Static Variables

Let us discuss the traits of every type of variable listed 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 after exiting from the block or when the call returns from the function.
• The scope of these variables exists only within the block in which the variables are declared, i.e., we can access these variables only within that block.
• Initialization of the local variable is mandatory before using it in the defined scope.

Java

/*package whatever //do not write package name here */
// Contributed by Shubham Jain
import java.io.*;

class GFG {
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        int var = 10; // Declared a Local Variable
        // This variable is local to this main method only
        System.out.println("Local Variable: " + var);
    }
}

Output

Local Variable: 10

2. Instance Variables

Instance variables are non-static variables and are declared in a class outside of any method, constructor, or block. 

• As 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 specifiers for instance variables. If we do not specify any access specifier, then the default access specifier will be used.
• Initialization of an instance variable is not mandatory. Its default value is 0.
• Instance variables can be accessed only by creating objects.

Java

/*package whatever //do not write package name here */

import java.io.*;

class GFG {

    public String geek; // Declared Instance Variable

    public GFG()
    { // Default Constructor

        this.geek = "Shubham Jain"; // initializing Instance Variable
    }
//Main Method
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {

        // Object Creation
        GFG name = new GFG();
        // Displaying O/P
        System.out.println("Geek name is: " + name.geek);
    }
}

Output

Geek name is: Shubham Jain

3. Static Variables

Static variables are also known as class variables. 

• These variables are declared similarly as instance variables. The difference is that static variables are declared using the static keyword within a class outside of any method, constructor or block.
• Unlike instance variables, we can only have one copy of a static variable per class, irrespective of how many objects we create.
• Static variables are created at the start of program execution and destroyed automatically when execution ends.
• Initialization of a static variable is not mandatory. Its default value is 0.
• If we access a static variable like an instance variable (through an object), the compiler will show a warning message, which won’t halt the program. The compiler will replace the object name with the class name automatically.
• If we access a static variable without the class name, the compiler will automatically append the class name.

Java

/*package whatever //do not write package name here */

import java.io.*;

class GFG {

  public static String geek = "Shubham Jain";         //Declared static variable

    public static void main (String[] args) {

      //geek variable can be accessed without object creation
      //Displaying O/P
      //GFG.geek --> using the static variable
        System.out.println("Geek Name is : "+GFG.geek);
    }
}

Output

Geek Name is : Shubham Jain

Differences between the Instance variables and the Static variables

Now let us discuss the differences between the Instance variables and the Static variables:

• Each object will have its own copy of an instance variable, whereas we can only have one copy of a static variable per class, irrespective of how many objects we create.
• Changes made in an instance variable using one object will not be reflected in other objects as each object has its own copy of the instance variable. In the case of a static variable, changes will be reflected in other objects as static variables are common to all objects of a class.
• 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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