Variables: labeled boxes your code remembers
A variable is a labeled box. You put a value inside, give the box a name, and your code remembers it — ready to use, and easy to change.
The big idea
A variable is a name that holds a value. Use that value later by writing its name.
See it in code
The simplest variable is one labeled box. We put "Blaze" in a box called name. After that, writing name gives the value right back:
name = "Blaze"
print(name)Blaze
One box, one name. Say name anywhere and Python swaps in "Blaze" for you.
A box is yours to refill. Put a new value in and the box forgets the old one — it only remembers what's inside now:
coins = 5
print(coins)
coins = 10
print(coins)5 10
The coins box went from 5 to 10. Refilling a box is how your code keeps track of things that change.
Now a hero. We make a name box for "Blaze" and a health box for 100. Then the hero takes a hit, so we refill health with a smaller number:
name = "Blaze"
health = 100
print(name, "starts with", health, "HP")
health = health - 30
print("After a hit:", health)Blaze starts with 100 HP After a hit: 70
The health box started at 100, then we put 70 in it. Same box, new value — that is the superpower of a variable.
Every program uses variables, not just hero sheets. A score that climbs, a star's x spot, a color you use ten times — each one is a labeled box. Name a value once. Then the whole program can share it and change it in one place.
Try it yourself
Add a box called power holding 50, then print it. Next, give the hero a shield: make health go up by writing health = health + 20, and print it again to watch the number grow.
The common mistake
Mixing up the two sides of the =. The name always goes on the left, the value on the right. Writing 100 = health is backwards, and Python won't allow it — it is always health = 100.
What it unlocks
Once values have names, you can compare them with comparison operators, do math on them with operators, and show them with print().