> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://pythonforstarters.solomonmarvel.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://pythonforstarters.solomonmarvel.com/introduction-to-python/variables.md).

# Variables

#### [What are variables?](broken://pages/4njnUglP9cniY8JcF68l) <a href="#what-are-variables" id="what-are-variables"></a>

A variable in Python is a symbolic name that serves as a reference or pointer to an object. Once an object is assigned to a variable, it can be referred to by that name. However, the data is still contained within the object.

In Python, a variable is a named location in memory that stores a value. Variables are used to store data values in programs. When you create a variable, you specify a name for the variable and a value to store in the variable. You can then use the variable name in your program to refer to the value stored in the variable.

For example, you might create a variable named x and assign it the value 10. You can then use the variable x in your program to refer to the value 10.

```
# In this example, the variable x is created and assigned the value 10. 
# You can then use the variable x in your program like this:
variable = 1

# You can also assign a new value to a variable using 
# the assignment operator (=). For example:
variable = 2

# A variable with a type hint
variable_with_type: int = 1

print(variable_with_type) # print the result of our variable
```

#### [Variable Rules in Python](broken://pages/4njnUglP9cniY8JcF68l) <a href="#variable-rules-in-python" id="variable-rules-in-python"></a>

* A variable must start with a letter or the underscore character.
* A variable cannot start with a number.
* A variable can only contain alphanumeric characters and underscores (A-z, 0-9, and \_ )
* Variables are case-sensitive (age, Age and AGE are three different variables)