Variables and DECLARE

A variable stores one value

• A variable has a name and holds one value you can change.
• The 2026 guide writes names in mixed case, starting with a letter: NumberOfPlayers or numberOfPlayers.
• These lessons use a capital first letter, the same shape as the guide's own examples.

DECLARE Counter : INTEGER
Counter ← 0
Counter ← Counter + 1
OUTPUT Counter

DECLARE, then the arrow

• DECLARE Counter : INTEGER creates the variable and names its type.
• The assignment operator is ←. It stores the value on the right.
• = is not how you store a value. = means "is equal to" inside a test.

DECLARE Score : INTEGER
Score ← 40
Score ← Score + 2
OUTPUT Score

Watch out

• Declare a variable before you use it.
• An identifier starts with a letter. Digits may follow. The guide also allows _.
• Choose meaningful names such as NumberOfPlayers; conventional indices such as I and J are allowed.

Common mistakes

• Counter ← 1 stores 1. Counter = 1 is not an assignment.
• One variable holds one value. Assigning again replaces it.

Now you try

• Declare an integer, store a value with ←, and output it.

Independent transfer

The final task has no supplied algorithm. Plan its inputs, processing and outputs, then solve it before opening support. Check more than the sample case.