FAQ: Variables - Step 2: Initialize a Variable

This community-built FAQ covers the “Step 2: Initialize a Variable” exercise from the lesson “Variables”.

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This exercise can be found in the following Codecademy content:

Learn C++

FAQs on the exercise Step 2: Initialize a Variable

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I keep getting an error when trying to compile
int main()
{
int year;
year = 2019;
}

It gives me the error:
variable.cpp: In function ‘int main ()’:
variable.cpp:11:1: error: expected ‘;’ before
token
}

I’ve tried rewriting the code, starting a new session but nothing works. what have I done wrong here?

1 Like

Just you need to include the required library for main() function.

write the following line at the very first of your code

#include

I don’t believe any includes are required here, since to my knowledge there is no source file we need to include to be able to define a main function.

The code looks fine to me; my guess is maybe there used to be a bug in the course.

They need to update it to 2020. Just a small note. :grinning:

2 Likes

Why can’t we initialize and declare variables together in c++?
EDIT: I went farther in the lesson and saw that you can. It’s just a little different because in the JS course it starts off with defining and initializing together.

Can you declare and initialize variable simultaneously?

You can, it’s just later in the lesson. (see my comment above)


Just a suggestion: If you’ve already taught something in a previous lesson, maybe instead if just telling the student exactly what they need to type again, have them try and remember. Otherwise it doesn’t stick in their head early.

1 Like

of course you can e.g
int year = 2019;