The Role of Variable in Programming: Examples and Methodology

Abstract

One of the hardest notions to define in programming is the variable and the related command of assignment. In our opinion, it is exactly these difficulties that are responsible for the reluctance towards programming. The reason for this, according to us and others [7], is the multifunctional nature of the variable: it can be used for various purposes. Its concept “in our heads” and in the programming languages is markedly different in this respect.