VBScript Variables

A variable is a fundamental part of any programming language. Variables are best visualized as a container. This is because a variable's purpose is to hold something - a value.

How does the variable get the value? You, as a programmer, assign the value to it. This value could be dynamically produced, depending on your program/script.

Once the variable has a value, you can use subsequent code to check its value, and do something (or not do something) depending on its value.

Some programming languages require that you declare your variable before assigning a value to it. Others (such as VBScript) make this optional. In any case, it is good practice to declare all your variables first.

Declare a VBScript Variable

VBScript variables are declared using the dim statement:

<script type="text/vbscript">
  Dim firstName
  Dim age
</script>

These variables could also have been declared on the same line, separated by a comma:

<script type="text/vbscript">
  Dim firstName, age
</script>

Option Explicit

As mentioned, it's good practice to declare all variables before using them. Occasionally, if you're in a hurry, you might forget to do this. Then, one day, you might misspell the variable name and all sorts of problems could start occurring with your script.

VBScript has a way of ensuring you declare all your variables. This is done with the Option Explicit statement:

<script type="text/vbscript">
  Option Explicit
  Dim firstName
  Dim age
</script>

Assign Values to your Variables

You assign values using an equals operator (equals sign). The variable name goes on the left, the value on the right.

<script type="text/vbscript">
  Option Explicit
  Dim firstName
  Dim age
  firstName = "Borat"
  age = 25
</script>

Display your Variables

You can output the value of a variable by including it within the document.write() method.

<script type="text/vbscript">
  Option Explicit
  Dim firstName
  Dim age
  firstName = "Borat"
  age = 25
  document.write("Firstname: " & firstName & "</br />")
  document.write("Age: " & age)
</script>

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