Variables in Java

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 effects that memory 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.

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

Datatype: Type of data that can be stored in this variable. 
Dataname: 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

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 traits of every 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 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 variable is 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.

2. Instance Variables

Instance variables are non-static variables and are declared in a class outside 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 Instance Variable is not Mandatory. Its default value is 0
• Instance Variable can be accessed only by creating objects.

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 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 Static Variable is not Mandatory. Its default value is 0
• If we access the static variable like the Instance variable (through an object), the compiler will show the warning message and it 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.

Now let us do discuss the differences between the Instance variable Vs the Static variables

• Each object will have its own copy of the 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 static, 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 class name.

Syntax: Static and instance variables

class GFG
    {
        // Static variable
        static int a; 
        // Instance variable
        int b;        
    } 

Similar Articles: 

• 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

This article is contributed by Harsh Agarwal. If you like GeeksforGeeks and would like to contribute, you can also write an article using write.geeksforgeeks.org or mail your article to review-team@geeksforgeeks.org. See your article appearing on the GeeksforGeeks main page and help other Geeks.
Please write comments if you find anything incorrect, or you want to share more information about the topic discussed above.