Changes between Version 5 and Version 6 of ControlSystems/SoftwareTeam/Training/GettingStarted/Variables

Timestamp:

Aug 3, 2020, 5:06:51 PM (5 years ago)

Author:

Angelina Zhou

Comment:

added variable types to descriptions of what variables can hold

ControlSystems/SoftwareTeam/Training/GettingStarted/Variables

@@ -1 @@
-Let's try a slightly more complex program that will introduce variables.  A variable is like a box that can hold something for you.  In Java, you can put only one type of thing in a given box.  Variables can hold things like:
-* An integer number (e.g. 42)
-* A real number (e.g. 3.141592)
-* A character (e.g. 'a' or '0' or '!')
-* A string of characters (e.g. "Howdy")
-* Something you define
+Let's try a slightly more complex program that will introduce variables.  A variable is like a box that can hold something for you.  In Java, you can put only one type of thing in a given box.  Different types of variables can hold different things like:
+
+ * `int` can hold an integer number (e.g. 42)
+ * `double` can hold a real number (e.g. 3.141592)
+ * `char` can hold a character (e.g. 'a' or '0' or '!')
+ * `String` can hold a string of characters (e.g. "Howdy")
+ * `boolean` can hold values with two states: true or false
 
 Variables are an important part of every program because they allow the program to do different things depending on what's in the box.
 
-1. Close your current project if you have one open (File->Close Folder)
-2. Make a new folder in your Java Projects folder named !VariablesExample 
-3. Open the folder (File->Open Folder)
-4. Create a new file: (File->New File)
-5. Cut and paste the program below into the editor window:
+ 1. Close your current project if you have one open (File->Close Folder)
+ 1. Make a new folder in your Java Projects folder named !VariablesExample
+ 1. Open the folder (File->Open Folder)
+ 1. Create a new file: (File->New File)
+ 1. Cut and paste the program below into the editor window:
 {{{
 public class VariablesExample {
@@ -27 +28 @@
 }
 }}}
-6. Save the file as !VariablesExample.java (File->Save) [[Image(JavaVariables.jpg,50%,margin=10,align=right)]]
-7. Run the program
-8. In the output terminal window, observe that the number 12 is output.
+ 1. Save the file as !VariablesExample.java (File->Save) [[Image(JavaVariables.jpg,50%,margin=10,align=right)]]
+ 1. Run the program
+ 1. In the output terminal window, observe that the number 12 is output.
 
 === Understanding the program ===
 Our example program:
-* Creates 3 variables (boxes) named a, b, c.  They are all integer variables (they can only hold integer numbers).  
-* The program then places the number 3 in variable a, the number 4 in variable b, and the product of whatever is in a and b into variable c.  
-* Finally, the program prints whatever value is in variable c.
+
+ * Creates 3 variables (boxes) named a, b, c.  They are all integer variables (they can only hold integer numbers).
+ * The program then places the number 3 in variable a, the number 4 in variable b, and the product of whatever is in a and b into variable c.
+ * Finally, the program prints whatever value is in variable c.
 
 === Extra Credit ===
-1. Change the program: adding more variables, change numbers and formulas and run it again.
-2. Read more about Java variables [https://www.w3schools.com/java/java_variables.asp here]
+ 1. Change the program: adding more variables, change numbers and formulas and run it again.
+ 1. Read more about Java variables [https://www.w3schools.com/java/java_variables.asp here]