The meaning of the word "Variable"

[Steve2107]

Hello,

As part of my understanding about the terms VBA uses, I have been trying to understand where the word "Variable" comes from. I just copied this from a website:

"After assigning a value to a variable, you can use that variable knowing the value it is currently holding. At any time and when necessary, you can change the value held by a variable. That's why it is called a variable (because its value can vary or change). To change the value held by a variable, access the variable again and assign it the new desired value."

So, just to be clear in my mind, the value of a variable will not change unless you initiate that change? For example, if you wrote a piece of VBA code and assigned a value to a variable, then that variable will not change unless you go back to the code and change the variable value?

[shg]

A simple variable is just the name of a storage location.

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Depending on the type of variable, VBA limits the nature and range of data it can contain.

[Steve2107]

Thanks shg, so is the last question in my post correct? That is what I am trying to get my head around that's all.

[MarvinP]

Hey Steve,

In general you are correct. The variable won't change value after you assign it a value unless you change it. There are other parts to this question. A variable is created in a Subroutine in the VBA code using the DIM statement. When the Subroutine ends all the variables created in it are removed from the memory of the computer. Sometimes this is called "tossed off the stack". A way around this is to declare the Variable as Global so it lives longer than the life of the subroutine.

This site might explain it better:
http://analysistabs.com/excel-vba/scope-of-variables/ or this one http://www.cpearson.com/excel/Scope.aspx

[Andy Pope]

You might find the glossary in vba help useful.

Variable

A named storage location that can contain data that can be modified during program execution. Each variable has a name that uniquely identifies it within its scope. A data type can be specified or not.

Variable names must begin with an alphabetic character, must be unique within the same scope, can't be longer than 255 characters, and can't contain an embedded period or type-declaration character.