Using Variables in Games

Learning Objectives Define a variable as a container for information. Explain the difference between a variable's name and its value. Create a new variable and give it a starting value. Change the value of an existing variable. Use a variable to keep track of a score in a simple game scenario. Identify variables used for tracking lives, points, or items in a game. Have you ever collected coins in a game? 🪙 How does the computer remember how many you have? Let's find out! We are going to learn about special memory spots called 'variables'. Think of them as magic boxes that help our games remember important things like your score, how many lives you have left, or your player's name. Knowing how to use these boxes is the first step to making awesome g...

TermDefinitionExample VariableA container or a box in the computer's memory that holds a piece of information. We give it a name so we can find it later.A variable named `score` can hold the number of points you have. ValueThe actual information that is stored inside a variable. The value can change!If your score is 10, the variable `score` has a value of `10`. DeclareTo create a new, empty variable for the first time and give it a name.We can declare a variable called `player_lives` to get it ready to hold a number. AssignTo put a value into a variable. We use the equals sign `=` to do this.`score = 0`. This assigns the value `0` to the variable `score`. Data TypeThe kind of information a variable can hold. The two most common types are numbers and words (strings).The variable `scor...

Creating a Variable variable_name = value Use this pattern to create a variable and give it a starting value all at once. Pick a name that describes what the variable is for. Changing a Variable's Value variable_name = new_value To update what's inside your variable box, you just assign a new value to the same variable name. The old value is replaced. Using a Variable's Value Look at the variable_name to see the value inside. When you use the variable's name in your code, the computer looks inside the box and uses the value it finds there.