string variable: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Medium-High
UK/strɪŋ ˈvɛːrɪəbl̩/US/strɪŋ ˈvɛriəbəl/

Technical (Computer Science/Programming)

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Quick answer

What does “string variable” mean?

A named storage location in computer memory that can hold a sequence of characters (text).

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A named storage location in computer memory that can hold a sequence of characters (text).

In programming, a variable specifically designated to store alphanumeric data (a string), as opposed to numerical or boolean data. It represents a fundamental data type for handling text, words, and sentences.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related words may differ (e.g., 'initialise' vs. 'initialize').

Connotations

Identical technical meaning. No regional connotations.

Frequency

Equally frequent in technical discourse in both regions.

Grammar

How to Use “string variable” in a Sentence

VERB + string variable + (with/to) + VALUE (e.g., 'Set the string variable to "Hello".')ADJECTIVE + string variable (e.g., 'a global string variable')

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
declare a string variableassign a value to a string variableinitialize a string variableconcatenate string variables
medium
empty string variablelocal string variableglobal string variablename of the string variable
weak
create a string variableuse a string variablemanipulate a string variablepass a string variable

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rarely used unless in software development or IT project discussions.

Academic

Common in computer science, software engineering, and data science courses and literature.

Everyday

Virtually never used in non-technical conversation.

Technical

Core, everyday term in programming, software development, and scripting.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “string variable”

Strong

Neutral

text variablecharacter variable

Weak

text holdercharacter container

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “string variable”

numeric variableinteger variableboolean variablefloat variableconstant

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “string variable”

  • Using a string variable in a mathematical operation without converting it to a number first.
  • Forgetting that string variables are case-sensitive (e.g., 'Name' vs 'name' are different).
  • Omitting quotation marks when assigning a literal value.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a two-word compound noun. In programming contexts, it is often treated as a single conceptual unit.

Yes, but it stores the number as text (e.g., '123'), not as a numerical value for calculations.

A string variable holds text, while an integer variable holds whole numbers for mathematical operations.

Follow language-specific rules, but generally, use descriptive names (e.g., 'userName', 'messageText') and avoid reserved keywords.

A named storage location in computer memory that can hold a sequence of characters (text).

String variable is usually technical (computer science/programming) in register.

String variable: in British English it is pronounced /strɪŋ ˈvɛːrɪəbl̩/, and in American English it is pronounced /strɪŋ ˈvɛriəbəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • String me along (idiom with 'string', unrelated to computing)

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a 'string' of beads or letters. A 'string variable' is a named box where you can store such a string of text in a program.

Conceptual Metaphor

A LABELED BOX or CONTAINER for holding a SEQUENCE OF SYMBOLS (letters, numbers, punctuation).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
To store the user's input, you need to declare a .
Multiple Choice

What is typically stored in a string variable?