What is the primary characteristic of a variable in programming?

• A. It stores data such as numbers or text
• B. It is always a fixed value
• C. It must begin with a number
• D. It cannot be changed after declaration

Answer: (A)

The primary characteristic of a variable in programming is that it stores data such as numbers or text. A variable serves as a named storage location in memory, allowing you to refer to that stored data throughout your program. This concept allows programmers to handle and manipulate different types of data dynamically during the execution of the program. For example, you can assign a value to a variable, change that value, or even store different types of data (e.g., integers, floats, strings) in it as needed.

The other options do not accurately describe the essential nature of variables. Variables are not fixed; they are designed to hold data that can be modified. They also cannot start with a number, as variable naming conventions in most programming languages dictate that names must begin with a letter or an underscore. Lastly, a key feature of variables is that they can be changed after declaration, allowing for flexible programming. This illustrates the importance of understanding what variables are and how they function within a program.