Unlock the Power of Go Programming: Mastering Variables and Constants
What is a Variable in Go?
In the world of Go programming, a variable is a container that stores data, and every variable has a fixed data type associated with it. This data type determines the type of data that the variable can store. For instance, a variable with an int data type can only store integer data.
Declaring a Variable in Go
To declare a variable in Go, you need to use the var keyword followed by the name of the variable and its data type. For example: var number int. Here, number is the name of the variable, and int is its data type.
Assigning Values to Go Variables
There are three ways to assign values to a variable in Go:
Method 1: Explicit Assignment
You can assign an integer value to a variable using the assignment operator (=). For example: var number int = 10.
Method 2: Implicit Assignment
You can also assign a value to a variable without explicitly specifying its data type. The compiler will automatically detect the type based on the value assigned. For example: var number = 10.
Method 3: Shorthand Notation
Go provides a shorthand notation for assigning values to variables using the := operator. For example: number := 10.
Important Notes on Go Variables
- If a variable is not assigned any value, a default value is assigned to it. For example, an
intvariable will have a default value of 0. - Every variable in Go must have a data type associated with it. If not, the program will throw an error.
Example: Go Variables Output
Let’s see how variables work in action. We’ll declare a variable count and print its value.
Changing the Value of a Variable
As the name suggests, variables can change their values. However, in Go, you cannot change the type of a variable after it’s declared. For example, if you declare an int variable, you cannot use it to store string values.
Creating Multiple Variables at Once
Go allows you to declare multiple variables at once by separating them with commas. For example: var name, age = "Palistha", 22.
Rules of Naming Variables
When naming variables in Go, keep the following rules in mind:
- A variable name can consist of alphabets, digits, and an underscore.
- Variables cannot have other symbols like $, @, #, etc.
- Variable names cannot begin with a number.
- A variable name cannot be a reserved word, such as
int,type,for, etc. - Always try to give meaningful variable names to make your code easier to read and understand.
Constants in Go
Constants are fixed values that cannot be changed once declared. In Go, you use the const keyword to create constant variables. For example: const pi = 3.14. Note that you cannot use the shorthand notation := to create constants.
By mastering variables and constants in Go, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a proficient Go programmer.