Introduction
Symbolic constants are an important part of programming languages, as they allow for the use of meaningful names instead of literal values. However, it is important to understand the syntax of the language when assigning values to symbolic constants. This statement is saying that assigning a value to a symbolic constant in an executable statement is a syntax error. In other words, it is not valid syntax to assign a value to a symbolic constant in an executable statement. This article will explain why this is the case and provide examples of valid and invalid syntax.
Solution
This statement means that it is not valid to assign a value to a symbolic constant in an executable statement. A symbolic constant is a name that stands for a specific value, and it cannot be changed. Therefore, attempting to assign a value to a symbolic constant in an executable statement will result in a syntax error.
If you’re asking what I think you’re asking, here’s an example in C#:
const int numPeople = 10;
numPeople = 20 + 15;
The whole idea of a symbolic constant is just that – it’s a constant. If you could assign a value to a symbolic constant, it wouldn’t be a constant, it would be a variable (which is why the above code won’t compile).
In this case, numPeople is a symbol representing the constant 10. It’s a named constant in effect. By way of contrast, 20 and 15 are literal constants.
In C and C#, symbolic constants and literal constants should have the same effect in code – it’s literally just a substitution. Effectively, numPeople does not exist at runtime, it’s just a compile-time construct. So the last line of the above code is semantically equivalent to:
10 = 20 + 15;
which clearly makes no sense.
I wouldn’t exactly call this a “common” programming error, by the way, but I guess it does happen.
solved How to understand the following statement: “Assigning a value to a symbolic constant in an executable statement is a syntax error” [closed]
Understanding the statement “Assigning a value to a symbolic constant in an executable statement is a syntax error” is important for any programmer. A symbolic constant is a name that stands for a specific value, and it is usually used to represent a value that is used multiple times in a program. The value of a symbolic constant cannot be changed, so assigning a value to it in an executable statement is a syntax error. This is because the value of a symbolic constant is already set and cannot be changed.
Symbolic constants are used to make programs easier to read and maintain. They are also used to make programs more efficient, as they can be used to represent values that are used multiple times in a program. For example, if a program needs to use the number 10 multiple times, it can be represented by a symbolic constant instead of writing out the number 10 each time. This makes the program more efficient and easier to read.
Syntax errors occur when a program does not follow the rules of the programming language. In this case, assigning a value to a symbolic constant in an executable statement is a syntax error because the value of a symbolic constant is already set and cannot be changed. This is why it is important to understand the statement and to make sure that you are not assigning a value to a symbolic constant in an executable statement.