ASP Variables

Variables

Variables are "containers" for storing information.
 

Do You Remember Algebra from School?

Do you remember algebra from school? x=5, y=6, z=x+y

Do you remember that a letter (like x) could be used to hold a value (like 5), and that you could use the information above to calculate the value of z to be 11?

These letters are called variables, and variables can be used to hold values (x=5) or expressions (z=x+y).

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VBScript Variables

As with algebra, VBScript variables are used to hold values or expressions.

A variable can have a short name, like x, or a more descriptive name, like carname.

Rules for VBScript variable names:

• Must begin with a letter 
• Cannot contain a period (.)
• Cannot exceed 255 characters

In VBScript, all variables are of type variant, that can store different types of data.

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The Lifetime Of Variables

A variable declared outside a procedure can be accessed and changed by any script in the ASP file.

A variable declared inside a procedure is created and destroyed every time the procedure is executed. No scripts outside the procedure can access or change the variable.

To declare variables accessible to more than one ASP file, declare them as session variables or application variables.

Session Variables

Session variables are used to store information about ONE single user, and are available to all pages in one application. Typically information stored in session variables are name, id, and preferences.

Application Variables

Application variables are also available to all pages in one application. Application variables are used to store information about ALL users in one specific application.

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