a named piece of data stored in a computer’s memory which can be accessed and changed by a computer program

to update the value of something in a program

to give a variable a starting value in a program

the data stored in a programming variable which can be used or changed

Updating and changing values in a variable

Computing

Introducing variables

Improving a game

Design a game that uses variables

Design to code

Improving and sharing

This unit explores the concept of variables in programming through the development of games. Pupils will investigate what variables are and relate them to real-world examples of values that can be set and changed. Then they use variables to create a simulation of a scoreboard.

Using variables in programming to develop a game

a placeholder in memory for a single value

What is a variable in a computer program?

What does the value of a variable represent?

Put these steps in order for using a variable in a program:

What happens to a variable’s name when the program runs and the data changes?

changing your name from “Tom” to “Sam”

Match each example to the correct keyword:

What is the data stored inside a variable called?

Put these actions in order for changing a variable’s value during a game:

What do we call the label given to a variable?

Starter Quiz