A variable is a data object whose value can be changed at any point in a program. A variable can be any of the following:
A scalar is a single object that has a single value; it can be of any intrinsic or derived (user-defined) type.
An array is a collection of scalar elements of any intrinsic or derived type. All elements must have the same type and kind parameters.
A subobject is part of an object. The following are subobjects:
For example, B(3) is a subobject (array element) designator for array B. A subobject cannot be a variable if its parent object is a constant.
The name of a variable is associated with a single storage location.
Variables are classified by data type, as constants are. The data type of a variable indicates the type of data it contains, including its precision, and implies its storage requirements. When data of any type is assigned to a variable, it is converted to the data type of the variable (if necessary).
A variable can be defined before program execution by a DATA statement or a type declaration statement. During program execution, variables can be defined or redefined in assignment statements and input statements, or undefined (for example, if an I/O error occurs).