Crystal Notes: Variables

Published: 2021-07-28

Intro

Like most languages, variables in Crystal are defined with the = operator.

crystal
# Create a string variable
stuff = "stuff"

# Deduce the type of a variable. 
typeof(stuff) # => String

# Explicitly define the type of a variable.
stuff : String

# Assign "stuff" value to the stuff variable
stuff = "stuff"

# Define a variable type and assign a value
stuff : String = "stuff"

# Define a constant
THINGS = "things

Considerations

  • Variable types are inferred by the compiler and do not have to be specifically defined.
  • When a variable type is declared, it must be assigned a value before it can be accessed.
  • There are no global variables in Crystal, all variables are locally scoped
  • A variables value can be reassigned.
  • If a constants value is reassigned, the compiler will complain, but the program will still run.
  • Variables are defined in snake_case by convention.
  • Constants are defined in SHOUTING_SNAKE_CASE by convention.

Tags

#crystal