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Variables

A variable stores a value under a name using the = assignment operator

Part of: Python Coding — Module 4, SC in Schools - Introduction to Coding - Python — Module 12, VCE Software Development - U3O1 - Programming — Module 24, VCE Software Development - U4O1 - development and evaluation — Module 7, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Programming in Python — Module 4, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Python foundations — Module 3, VCE Applied Computing U1O2 Programming: Python basics and data types — Module 3, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7c Pseudocode and Flowcharts — Module 63, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Programming with Control Structures and Functions (Python) — Module 8, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Algorithms and Programming Techniques — Module 36, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Programmed Solutions — Module 17, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Prototype Digital Data Exchanges — Module 2, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Control Structures and Data Types — Module 5

Understanding Variables in Python

What it does: A variable stores a value under a name so it can be reused later, created with the assignment operator: name = 'Alice'. The name goes on the left, the value on the right. Once assigned, a variable can be read back or reassigned at any point, and Python figures out its type automatically from whatever's assigned to it.

Common mistakes: A single = assigns a value; a double == compares two values — mixing them up (age == 15 instead of age = 15) is one of the most common beginner errors. Variable names also can't start with a digit — 2score is invalid, score2 is fine.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–10) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Learning

Duo

What does x = 5 do?

Stores 5 in xChecks if x equals 5

Matches

❌ 3name = 'Bob'

↓

Error: Starts with number

Applying

Meanings

Term

name = 'Alice'

Meaning

Variables store values using = (assignment operator)

Practice

name = "Alice"

Testing

Gaps

= 'Bob'

Check Answer

Spots

1name = 'Alice'

2age == 15

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Quick Questions

1. What does x = 5 do?

A. Checks if x equals 5

B. Stores 5 in x ✓

= is assignment — it stores the value on the right into the variable on the left

2. After name = 'Alice', what is stored in name?

A. Alice ✓

B. name

The variable name holds the value 'Alice', not the word 'name'

3. Which is correct assignment?

A. age = 15 ✓

B. 15 = age

The variable goes on the left, the value on the right — you can't assign to a number

4. What does = mean in Python?

A. Assign ✓

B. Equality

= assigns a value to a variable — use == to test if two values are equal

5. After score = 100, what is stored in score?

A. score

B. 100 ✓

The variable holds the value — score contains 100, not the word 'score'

Match the Pairs

3name = 'Bob' → Error: Starts with number

my-score = 5 → Error: Hyphens not allowed

name3 = 'Bob' → Valid: Number after first char

my_score = 5 → Valid: Underscore ok

x = 10 print(x) → Output: 10

name = 'Alice' print(name) → Output: Alice

Key Term

name = 'Alice'

Variables store values using = (assignment operator)

Fill in the Blanks

1. name = 'Bob' print(name)

2. age = 15 print(age)

3. score = 100 print(score)

4. city = 'Melbourne' print(city)

5. age = input('Enter Age: ') print(age)

Spot the Error

Question 1

A name = 'Alice'

B age == 15

C print(name)

Line B — Line 2 uses == (comparison) instead of = (assignment). Should be: age = 15

Question 2

A name = 'Bob'

B 2score = 100

C print(name)

Line B — Line 2 starts with a number. Variable names cannot start with numbers. Should be: score2 = 100

Question 3

A name = 'Alice'

B age = 15

C print('name')

Line C — Line 3 prints the string 'name' instead of the variable. Should be: print(name)

Question 4

A age = 16

B student-name = 'Charlie'

C grade = 11

D print(student-name)

Line B — Line 2 uses hyphens which aren't allowed in variable names. Should be: student_name = 'Charlie'

Question 5

A name = 'Diana'

B age = 15

C school = Parkdale High

D print(school)

Line C — Line 3 is missing quotes around the string value. Should be: school = 'Parkdale High'

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