This article aims to explore the difference between var and val in Kotlin.

Both var and val are keywords used for variable declaration in Kotlin, but they have distinct characteristics.

The primary dissimilarity lies in their mutability, where var denotes a mutable variable and val represents an immutable variable.

A mutable variable can be assigned multiple times and is ideal for situations where the value needs to be modified or updated. It is commonly used in setter methods and mutable properties within classes.

Conversely, an immutable variable can only be initialized once and cannot be reassigned thereafter. It is suitable for scenarios where the value should remain constant or have a fixed value. It is frequently employed in getter methods and read-only properties within classes.

In summary, var is akin to a general variable that can undergo changes, whereas val resembles a final variable that retains its initial value.

Difference

The difference between var and val in Kotlin is that var is mutable and can be assigned multiple times, while val is immutable and can only be initialized once.

A variable declared with var can have its value modified throughout its lifetime, allowing for flexibility and changes.

On the other hand, a variable declared with val is read-only and cannot be reassigned after its initial assignment.

This immutability ensures that the value of val remains constant and cannot be changed, providing stability and preventing accidental modifications.

By using var and val appropriately, Kotlin provides developers with the flexibility to handle variables that need to be modified and those that should remain constant, improving code clarity and maintainability.

Mutability

Mutability refers to the ability of a variable to be modified or changed after it has been initialized. In Kotlin, the difference between var and val lies in their mutability.

The var keyword is used to declare mutable variables, which means their values can be modified or reassigned multiple times throughout the program.

On the other hand, the val keyword is used to declare read-only variables, which are immutable and cannot be changed once initialized. This means that val variables can only be assigned a value once.

This distinction allows developers to choose between variables that can have different values over time (var) and variables that have a fixed value (val), providing flexibility and control over the state of variables in Kotlin programs.

Assignability

Assignability in Kotlin refers to the ability of a variable to be modified or reassigned after it has been initialized.

In Kotlin, the use of ‘var’ denotes a mutable variable, which means its value can be changed multiple times throughout the program.

On the other hand, ‘val’ indicates an immutable variable, which can only be initialized once and cannot be reassigned thereafter.

This distinction between ‘var’ and ‘val’ allows programmers to clearly define the intended behavior of their variables.

By using ‘var’, developers can create variables that can be modified as needed, while ‘val’ provides the guarantee that a variable’s value remains constant throughout its scope.

This distinction aids in improving code clarity and preventing accidental modifications to variables that should remain unchanged.