Constants: Difference between revisions
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[[file:arrows.png|right|frame|Programming basics<ref>http://www.flaticon.com/</ref>]] | [[file:arrows.png|right|frame|Programming basics<ref>http://www.flaticon.com/</ref>]] | ||
In computer programming, a constant is an identifier with an associated value which cannot be altered by the program during normal execution – the value is constant<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constant_(computer_programming)</ref>. | In computer programming, a constant is an identifier with an associated value which cannot be altered by the program during normal execution – the value of the constant is, well, '''constant'''<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constant_(computer_programming)</ref>. | ||
Constants can | A constant is an identifier (name) for a simple value. As the name suggests, that value cannot change during the execution of the script. A constant is case-sensitive by default. By convention, constant identifiers are always uppercase.<ref>http://php.net/manual/en/language.constants.php</ref>. | ||
Constants are used when you want to prevent changes to data in a program. This usually happens in larger programs, with multiple programmers. Constants also provide a measure of security, especially in web-based applications. In lower-level languages, constants can provide more efficient use of memory than variables. | |||
== Example == | |||
Below is an example of declaring a constant in PHP: | |||
<syntaxhighlight lang="PHP" line> | |||
<?php | |||
# this file is used to demonstrate constants in PHP | |||
define("SCHOOL_YEAR", "2016 - 2017"); | |||
# for the remainder of the running of this program, the value of SCHOOL_YEAR will be 2016 - 2017 | |||
# If we wanted to CALL (use) a constant, we might use the following syntax: note the lack of a $ symbol | |||
echo "The school year is " . SCHOOL_YEAR; | |||
?> | |||
</syntaxhighlight> | |||
== Standards == | == Standards == | ||
Latest revision as of 05:15, 27 September 2016
In computer programming, a constant is an identifier with an associated value which cannot be altered by the program during normal execution – the value of the constant is, well, constant[2].
A constant is an identifier (name) for a simple value. As the name suggests, that value cannot change during the execution of the script. A constant is case-sensitive by default. By convention, constant identifiers are always uppercase.[3].
Constants are used when you want to prevent changes to data in a program. This usually happens in larger programs, with multiple programmers. Constants also provide a measure of security, especially in web-based applications. In lower-level languages, constants can provide more efficient use of memory than variables.
Example[edit]
Below is an example of declaring a constant in PHP:
<?php
# this file is used to demonstrate constants in PHP
define("SCHOOL_YEAR", "2016 - 2017");
# for the remainder of the running of this program, the value of SCHOOL_YEAR will be 2016 - 2017
# If we wanted to CALL (use) a constant, we might use the following syntax: note the lack of a $ symbol
echo "The school year is " . SCHOOL_YEAR;
?>
Standards[edit]
- Define the terms: variable, constant, operator, object.