Identifier vs. Variable: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 29, 2024
An identifier is a name given to elements in a program, like variables and functions; a variable is a storage location paired with an identifier holding data.
Key Differences
An identifier in programming is a name assigned to a programming element, such as a variable, function, or class. It serves as a label to identify the element in the code. A variable, on the other hand, is a specific type of identifier that is associated with a memory location and can hold a value that may change during program execution.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Identifiers are purely symbolic names; they don’t contain values but refer to locations in memory where values are stored. Variables are instances of identifiers where data or values are stored. A variable's value can be altered as the program runs, reflecting its name as something that can vary.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
The naming of identifiers follows certain rules and conventions in programming languages, such as beginning with a letter or underscore. Variables, being a subset of identifiers, follow these same naming rules but are distinct in their function as they are used to store and manipulate data.
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Feb 29, 2024
In a programming context, identifiers can refer to various entities, not just variables. They can be names of functions, classes, arrays, labels, and more. Variables are specifically identifiers that represent memory locations where data values are stored and are often manipulated in computations.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
The scope of an identifier depends on where it is declared and can be local, global, or in a specific context like a class or function. The scope of a variable, particularly where it can be accessed and modified, is also defined by its declaration and can be local to a function, global to a program, or confined to a class or object.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Name given to programming elements
Storage location with an identifier holding data
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Function
Serves as a label or reference
Stores and allows manipulation of data
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Types
Can represent variables, functions, classes, etc.
A specific type of identifier for data storage
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Naming Rules
Follows specific language conventions
Inherits identifier naming rules, used for data storage
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Scope
Depends on declaration context
Scope defined by where it's declared (local, global, etc.)
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Feb 29, 2024
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Identifier and Variable Definitions
Identifier
A label used in programming to name elements like classes and methods.
Main is an identifier used for the main method in many programming languages.
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Variable
An identifier associated with a memory space, containing a value.
Temperature is a variable that stores the current temperature value.
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Identifier
A term used in coding to refer to names of data structures, variables, and functions.
PrintResult is an identifier for a function that prints results.
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Variable
A named space in memory for storing and manipulating data values.
He incremented the variable score each time the player scored a point.
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Identifier
A unique name in code that represents different programming entities.
In the class definition class Car {}, Car is an identifier for the class.
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Variable
A data holder in code whose content can be altered during execution.
In the loop, the variable i changes its value with each iteration.
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Identifier
A name given to a programming element like a variable or function.
In int age = 25;, age is an identifier for the integer variable.
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Variable
(programming) A named memory location in which a program can store intermediate results and from which it can read them.
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Identifier
A symbolic name that identifies a variable, class, or function in code.
The identifier totalSum was used for a variable storing the sum of numbers.
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Variable
A quantity which may increase or decrease; a quantity which admits of an infinite number of values in the same expression; a variable quantity; as, in the equation x2 - y2 = R2, x and y are variables.
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Identifier
(HTML) A code that distinguishes a particular element from all other elements in a document.
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Variable
A symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity
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Variable
A storage location in programming that holds data which can change.
The variable count was used to store the number of items in the cart.
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Variable
An entity in programming that can hold different values over its lifetime.
The variable userInput stores different strings entered by the user.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a variable in programming?
A variable is a storage location identified by a name, which holds data that can change during program execution.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Can identifiers be names of functions?
Yes, identifiers can be names for functions, variables, classes, and more.
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Feb 29, 2024
How is a variable different from a constant?
A variable's value can change, while a constant's value remains fixed once set.
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Can the same identifier name be used for different elements?
In the same scope, an identifier must be unique, but it can be reused in different scopes or contexts.
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Feb 29, 2024
What are the rules for naming identifiers?
Rules vary by language but generally include starting with a letter or underscore and avoiding reserved words.
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Feb 29, 2024
Are all identifiers variables?
No, not all identifiers are variables; they can also represent classes, functions, etc.
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Feb 29, 2024
Is it possible to change the identifier of a variable?
Once declared, the identifier of a variable cannot be changed in most languages.
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Feb 29, 2024
What happens if an identifier conflicts with a reserved word?
It usually leads to a syntax error as reserved words have predefined meanings in the language.
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Feb 29, 2024
What is an identifier in programming?
An identifier is a name given to elements in a program like variables, functions, or classes.
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Feb 29, 2024
Do variables always contain values?
Variables are intended to hold values, but they may be uninitialized at declaration.
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How is memory allocation for variables handled?
Memory allocation for variables is typically handled at runtime by the programming language's environment.
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Can a variable exist without an identifier?
In most programming languages, a variable needs an identifier to be referenced.
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Feb 29, 2024
Can two variables have the same identifier?
In the same scope, two variables cannot have the same identifier.
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Feb 29, 2024
How do variables interact with functions?
Variables can be passed to functions as arguments and can be modified or used within these functions.
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Feb 29, 2024
Are there conventions for naming variables?
Yes, there are common naming conventions like camelCase or snake_case to improve code readability.
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Feb 29, 2024
How does scope affect an identifier?
The scope determines where the identifier is accessible and valid in the code.
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Feb 29, 2024
Can identifiers be renamed during program execution?
Identifiers cannot be dynamically renamed during execution in most programming languages.
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Feb 29, 2024
Can a variable's type change during execution?
In statically-typed languages, a variable's type is fixed, but in dynamically-typed languages, it can change.
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Feb 29, 2024
How are global variables different from local variables?
Global variables are accessible throughout the program, while local variables are confined to their respective scopes.
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Feb 29, 2024
What are examples of invalid identifiers?
Identifiers starting with a number or containing special characters (other than underscore) are generally invalid.
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Feb 29, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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