Variables¶

A variable is a name you use to refer to a memory location where a value is stored. In a more abstract manner it can be thought of as a box that stores a value. All variables are made up of three parts: a name, a data type and a value. In the figure below there are three variables of different types:

Source: <https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn/JavaScript/First_steps/Variables>

The variable name contains the string Bob, the variable winner contains the value True and the variable score contains the value 35.

In Python a variable is created when it’s assigned to for the first time. Once done, variable value can be manipulated (unless it’s immutable - you’ll learn more about this in the Data Structures section).

from microbit import *

myCount = 0

while True:
   if button_a.was_pressed():
   myCount = myCount + 1
   sleep(2000)
   print("Number of presses: " + str(myCount))

Here we have used the variable myCount to count the number of button presses for button A. Can you tell what else this snippet of code does?