Variables are used to retain data, most languages need you to "declare" what type of variable your using.

type variable;

or

type variable = value;

Meaning that the variable can only handle values of that type. Other languages figure out what variable your working with via the context of declaration.

variable = value;

This will go over some of the types that are common to most languages.

• bool (or boolean)

These types can only have two values, true (1) or false (0).

• int (Integer)

These types are a whole number, if you were to try passing in a non-integer number your program may either give an error or round the value.

• float

These types are a rational numbers, meaning they can hold either a whole number or a decimal.

• char

These types are a non-negative whole number, commonly with a range of 0 to 255. They take in a value of a single character in single quotes in the typical format of 'A'. But they can also take in a whole number.

• string

These types are an array of characters, usually creating a line of text. They take the typical value of characters in series with double quotes in such as "Hello World!".

• The "if" Statement:

This is used to check a condition. Usually in the form of if(condition is true) {then do this;}.

• The "else" Statement:

This is used in the situation that if the condition is false, you want something else to happen. It is usually in the form of if(condition is true) {then do this;} else {do this instead;}.

• The "else if" Statement:

This is if you want to check if a different condition is true of the first condition failed. It is written as if(condition is true) {then do this;} else if(this condition is true) {then do this;}. You can use this with an "else" statement, however the "else" must be the last check in the list, as it will run if all other "if"s have failed.

• The "while" loop Statement:

This is used to run a condition multiple times. Also known as a loop statement, it usually is in the form while(condition is true) {then do this;}.

• The "do while" loop Statement:

This is designed so that the loop will run at least once, and then if it is true it will run again. It is formatted as do{ this; }while(condition is true); .

• The "for" loop Statement:

This is used to run a condition multiple times, but it has its variables set up first, checks the condition, then performs an action when the loop reaches it's end. It is in the format of for(this declared variable; if the condition is true; and every time it reaches the end of this loop) {do this;}. To break it down a bit more: for(variable declared; condition if true; variable handling after it loops) {do this;}.

• The "for each" loop Statement:

Some languages have this where you can take a list of variables and have it run for each variable in the list. It is in the format for(each of this variable: that is from this list) {do this;}. It will end once it reaches the end of the list.

WARNING: Loop statements can cause an "Infinite Loop" if you do not exit out of them correctly.

A lambda statement is a simplified way of writing something. Some languages include this format.

• The lambda "if" Statement:

The expression is typically written as if(condition is true) ? (then do this) : (else do this);