Changing Variable Values

Changing Variable Values

Variables are called variables for a reason: you can change them.

Reassign a value

int myNum = 15;
myNum = 10;   // myNum is now 10

Reassign from another variable

int myNum = 15;
int myOtherNum = 23;

myNum = myOtherNum;   // myNum becomes 23

Copying is one-way

When you do myNum = myOtherNum, you copy the value. Changing myOtherNum later does NOT change myNum.

int a = 5;
int b = a;   // b is 5
a = 100;     // a is 100, but b is still 5

Overwriting

Each assignment replaces the old value completely. The previous value is gone.

TL;DR

• Assign a new value: myNum = 10;.
• Copy another variable: myNum = myOtherNum;.
• Copies are one-way; later changes don't flow back.
• The old value is lost when overwritten.