Variables and Constants are mostly misunderstood in programming. Most of the time, most of the people read bad definitions on Constants. A thread on this.

Variables vs Constants

First of all, we need to understand the usage of both variables and constants. Variables are used to store values which can be changed in run time whereas constant cannot be changed. {1/9}

But some of the websites/people explain these two in the wrong way. Mostly the definition for constant would be "A constant is a variable that can't be changed in the program". {2/9}

It totally makes no sense. This statement states that a CONSTANT is a VARIABLE but it's value can't be changed. If CONSTANT is a VARIABLE then the value can be changed. A total collapse in the meaning. {3/9}

So, both "Variable" and "Constant" come under a concept called "Identifiers". As the name suggests, identifiers help us to identify a value which is stored in the memory with the help of a name. It's like a box which contains some values/information with a label attached. {4/9}

Say if you wanna store a number "42" in your program/code, you can assign it to an identifier. So that you can use it later in your program. {5/9}

If a value stored in an identifier which can be changed in the run time, it is called a "Variable". If it cannot be changed it is called a "Constant". {6/9}

Values stored in memory can't be accessed without knowing the address. Since we can't remember addresses, we need some kind of label which points to that address. Something like a contact number saved in the phone. We can’t remember phone numbers, but we can remember names. {8/9}

Also Also identifiers can be function names, type names, class names, labels, etc.,can be function names, type names, class names, labels, etc., {9/9}

Programming

Artificial Intelligence (commonly known as AI) is interconnected to variety of subjects including philosophy, math, economics, linguistics, psychology etc. These subjects are way older than AI and hence the term itself becomes a part of their history. History of Artificial Intelligence, ironically, dates back to Aristotle and his philosophies back in 400 BC. He first developed logic and methods of reasoning while considering the human mind as a machine. He established the foundations of learning, language and rationality. But the AI we all are familiar with began in the mid 20th century.

Artificial Intelligence - Does it have a beginning?

1940 - 1950 : Gestation of AI1950 - 1970 : Early AI programs Samuel's Checkers Program and the birth of AI at the Dartmouth meeting in 1956 where McCarthy coined the term Artificial Intelligence.1970 - 1990 : Knowledge based AIExpert systems are made and AI sets its foot forward to serving industrial purposes followed up by AI winter.1990 - present : Scientific approachNeural networks and emergence of intelligent agents. AI starts using probability to mode uncertainity with the availability of large data sets and systems. The data drives further discoveries along with complexity in AI.

computers

Variables vs Constants

Variables vs Constants

Artificial Intelligence - Does it have a beginning?

Nat Parker on Sep 24