Variables are symbolic names that we assign to data values. They act as containers that hold information which can be referenced and manipulated throughout our programs. To define a variable in Python, you use an assignment statement, where you assign a value to a variable name.

Let's explore this concept with an interactive example. Open your Python interpreter and define a variable called age by assigning the value 25 to it:

age = 25

Now, you can use the variable age to access and manipulate the value 25. For instance, to print its value, you can type:

print(age)

This command will output 25, displaying the value stored in the variable age.

age = 25print(age)

This will output 30 because the value of the age variable has been changed from 25 to 30. Variables provide a flexible way to handle data that can change over the course of your program.

Understanding literals

Literals are fixed values or constants directly written into your code. They represent specific values of different data types and remain unchanged throughout the program execution. For instance, 5 is a literal representing an integer, and "Hello" is a literal representing a string.

Let's work with literals in Python through some interactive examples. Open your Python interpreter and experiment with both integer and string literals.

First, let's try working with an integer literal. Simply type 5 into the terminal and press Enter:

5

You will see 5 as the output. This represents an integer literal, which is a direct, unchangeable value.

Next, let's try working with a string literal. Type "Hello" into the terminal and press Enter:

"Hello"

You will see "Hello" as the output. This is a string literal, another direct, unchangeable value.

Literals can be used directly in expressions and operations. For example, you can add two integer literals together:

5 + 3

This will output 8, which is the result of adding the integer literals 5 and 3.

Similarly, you can concatenate string literals:

"Hello" + "world"

This will output "Hello, world", which is the result of concatenating the string literals "Hello, " and "world".

Key differences and use cases

The key difference between variables and literals lies in their mutability and purpose. Variables can store data that may change throughout the execution of a program, providing flexibility and dynamic handling of values. On the other hand, literals are fixed values written directly into the code, representing constant data that does not change.

Variables are useful for scenarios where data needs to be manipulated or updated based on conditions, user input, or other dynamic factors. For example, tracking the score in a game, updating user information, or storing temporary results of calculations. Literals are used when you need to specify a constant value, such as initializing variables, setting configuration values, or performing simple operations that do not require change.

Variables vs. literals

Understanding literals

Key differences and use cases