Python Variables and Data Types: Your Computer's Memory Boxes with Different Types

Remember Math Class? Let's Start There!

Think back to your algebra lessons. When you wrote:

x = 10

What does this mean?

• x is called a variable
• 10 is the value
• We're telling x to "hold" or "remember" the number 10, so whenever we want to use value 10 we can use variable X

The same concept exists in programming! Python uses variables exactly like mathematics - as containers to store and remember values.

What Exactly is a Variable?

Think of a variable as a labeled box in your room:

Think of two pen boxes on your desk labelled Blue Pen Box and Black Pen Box. You can put any pen inside either box - sometimes a blue pen goes in the "Blue Pen Box," sometimes a black pen, sometimes even a pencil. The box labels never change, but what's inside can change anytime

Variables work the same way - the name stays the same, but you can store different values inside whenever you want. Just like pen boxes are containers for pens, variables are containers for data. The label helps you remember which container you're using, even though the contents might be completely different from what the label says

Technically speaking: A variable is a memory location that stores a value, and that value can vary (change) over time - that's why we call it a "variable"!

Assignment: Putting Values in Boxes

Remember our math equation x = 10? In Python, this is called assignment:

How Assignment Works:

1. x = 10 → Create a box labeled 'x' and put 10 inside the box
2. x = 12 → Take out 10, put 12 in the same box
3. The box name stays 'x', but contents change!

Pay Attention: Look closely at the code presented below, particularly what comes after the # mark, and grasp the context.

# Creating variables (like creating labeled boxes and put pens inside it)
x = 5           # Put number 5 in box labeled 'x' , the variable name is 'x' and it holds the value 5
y = 10          # Put number 10 in box labeled 'y' , the variable name is 'y' and it holds the value 10
result = 0      # Create box labeled 'result',  the variable name is 'result' and it holds the value 0
# Re-assigning value for variables (like changing the pens inside already labeled boxes)
x = 100         # Previously x contained the value 5, now it has been updated with the value 100 --> called as Re-assignment

Syntax:

variable_name = value

Different Types of Data - Just Like Real Life!

In Mathematics, We Have:

• Integers: 1, 2, 100, -5
• Decimals: 3.14, 2.5, -1.7
• Complex numbers: 2+3i, 4-3i

In English Language, We Have:

• Words: "Python", "Hello"
• Characters: 'A', 'x', '@'
• Sentences: "I am learning Python"
• Paragraphs: Multiple sentences together

Just as mathematics organizes numbers into different categories (whole numbers, decimals, complex numbers) and English groups text elements by their structure (single characters, complete words, full sentences), programming languages have various data types to handle different kinds of information appropriately

Data types are categories that tell us what kind of data we're storing and what operations we can perform on them. Think of them as different types of boxes for different types of items!

Python's Basic Data Types

1. Numbers (Just Like Math!)

Integers (int): Whole numbers

age = 21          # This is an int (integer) data type
score = 100
temperature = -5