Welcome back! In the last lesson, you learned how to use basic C# syntax and print a simple message to the console. Now, we are ready to take the next step. In this lesson, we will explore variables and basic data types in C#. These concepts are essential as they allow you to store and manipulate data in your programs.

We will focus on the basic and most commonly used data types in C#, including:

• string: Used to store a sequence of characters (text).
• int: Used to store whole numbers.
• double: Used to store floating-point numbers (numbers with decimals).
• bool: Used to store Boolean values (true or false).
• var: Allows the compiler to infer the type of the variable from the value assigned to it.

These data types are fundamental and will cover most of your needs in everyday programming.

Besides the basic types, there are other data types that are less commonly used but still important to know:

• char: Used to store a single character.
• float: Similar to double, but with less precision.
• decimal: Used for high-precision calculations, often in financial applications.
• long: Used for integers that are larger than those representable by int.
• short: Used for smaller integers, consumes less memory than int.

In this lesson, you will learn:

• How to declare variables of different basic data types in C#
• The importance of different data types and when to use them
• How to print the values of variables

Here's a sneak peek at what you will be able to do by the end of this lesson:

C#
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1// Declaring variables of different data types
2string planet = "Mars";
3int starsVisited = 5;
4double speedPerSecond = 2500.5;
5bool isMissionActive = true;
6var spacecraftName = "Voyager";
7
8// Printing the variables
9Console.WriteLine(planet);
10Console.WriteLine(starsVisited);
11Console.WriteLine(speedPerSecond);
12Console.WriteLine(isMissionActive);
13Console.WriteLine(spacecraftName);

Understanding how to work with variables and data types is crucial. They form the backbone of any program and allow you to represent and manage information effectively.

By mastering variables and data types, you gain the ability to store and process data in your programs. This skill is fundamental in programming and is used in almost every application you will create. Whether you are counting stars or managing mission details, knowing how to use different data types is essential.

For example, declaring a variable to store the name of a planet or the number of stars visited enables you to dynamically handle information within your program. Understanding these concepts prepares you to write flexible and powerful code.

Excited to enhance your programming skills? Let’s jump into the practice section and explore variables and data types together.