This is needlessly obtuse. The definition of the word is that it’s non-constant. There isn’t an ISO definition of the word no, but there are many reputable dictionaries out there that will serve as an alternative.
Comment on The temptation is always there
marcos@lemmy.world 8 months agoThere’s no ISO standardized definition for variable. People use that word with all kinds of meaning.
Yen@feddit.uk 8 months ago
marcos@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Well, starting with the definition from algebra, where it’s not something allowed to vary…
I guess more people know about math than use imperative programing languages.
SkyeStarfall@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 months ago
Except that’s exactly what it is allowed to in algebra.
Sure, in most equations you solve in school there is only one possible value for the variables. But in many equations there can be multiple, or even infinite. It’s an unknown, and the contents can vary (depending on other constraints).
marcos@lemmy.world 8 months ago
There’s no time in algebra for your variables to vary.
When you have a non-unitary set of solutions, you have a constant non-unitary set of solutions.
drcouzelis@lemmy.zip 8 months ago
Waaaait a minute… isn’t it called a variable because the contents are, you know, variable?
BassTurd@lemmy.world 8 months ago
It started as a variable, then ended as a constant.