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Post: Introduction to JavaScript – Create a Variable: const
Introduction to JavaScript – Using Variables with const
Introduction
In this lesson, we’ll explore how to create and use variables in JavaScript using the const
keyword. Variables are essential in programming as they store data values that can be used and manipulated throughout your code.
What is a Variable?
A variable in JavaScript is a container for storing data values. Think of it as a labeled box where you can put your information, and you can retrieve or change this information later.
Declaring a Constant Variable – Introduction to JavaScript variables with const
When you want to create a variable that holds a value that should not change, you use the const
keyword. Let’s see an example:
const myName = 'Seth';
console.log(myName); // Output: Seth
Breaking Down the Example
const
Keyword: Theconst
keyword is used to declare a constant variable. Once you assign a value to a constant variable, you cannot reassign it.- Variable Name:
myName
is the name of the variable. Notice the naming style called camelCase, where the first letter is lowercase, and each subsequent word starts with a capital letter. This is a common convention in JavaScript. - Assignment Operator: The
=
symbol is the assignment operator. It assigns the value'Seth'
to the variablemyName
. - Value:
'Seth'
is the value assigned to the variablemyName
.
Printing to the Console
After declaring the variable, you can print its value to the console using console.log()
:
console.log(myName); // Output: Seth
Storing Different Data Types – Introduction to JavaScript variables with const
You can store various types of data in variables, such as numbers, strings, booleans, and more. Here’s an example with a number:
const myAge = 11;
console.log(myAge); // Output: 11
Explanation
- Declaring the Variable:
const myAge = 11;
creates a constant variable namedmyAge
and assigns it the value11
. - Printing the Variable:
console.log(myAge);
outputs the value ofmyAge
, which is11
, to the console.
Practice Exercise
Now, it’s your turn to practice. Try declaring your own constant variables and print their values to the console. Here are a few examples to get you started:
Example 1: Declaring a String
const favoriteColor = 'blue';
console.log(favoriteColor); // Output: blue
Example 2: Declaring a Boolean
const isJavaScriptFun = true;
console.log(isJavaScriptFun); // Output: true
Example 3: Declaring a Number
const numberOfContinents = 7;
console.log(numberOfContinents); // Output: 7
Conclusion – Introduction to JavaScript variables with const
In this lesson, we’ve learned how to declare constant variables using the const
keyword in JavaScript. We’ve seen how to assign values to these variables and print them to the console. Remember, const
variables hold values that cannot change, making them useful for storing data that should remain constant throughout your program.
Keep practicing with different data types and see how you can use variables in your projects. Happy coding!