# What is variables javascript

* Variables are containers that store information for later use.
    
* Let's create our first variable:
    
    ```javascript
    let test;
    ```
    

We use the `let` keyword to declare a variable with the name `test`.

* But, what happens if we use `console.log()` to log our new variable?
    
    ```javascript
    let test;
    console.log(test);
    ```
    
* The console prints `undefined`. This is because we have not *initialized* our variable. *Initializing* a variable is the process of assigning a value to it.
    
* We can assign a value to a variable with the *assignment operator* `=`
    
    ```javascript
    let test;
    test = 1;
    console.log(test);
    ```
    
    * You can also assign a value to a variable directly when you create it.
        
    
    ```javascript
    let test = 1;
    console.log(test);
    ```
    
    * You can also create a variable with the `const` keyword.
        
    * The difference between the two is that you can not assign a new value to a variable that was created with `const`.
        
        ```javascript
        const test = 1;
        test = 2; 
        ```
        
    * we attempt to assign a new value to a variable that was created with `const`.
        
    * It throws an error.
        
    * You also cannot declare a `const` variable without assigning a value to it directly.
        
        ```javascript
        const test;
        ```
        
    
    `   `