In programming, what is the term for giving a variable its initial value?

The term for giving a variable its initial value is "initialization." This process involves creating a variable and assigning it a specific value at the same time. For instance, when you write int x = 5; in programming, you are both declaring the variable x and initializing it with the value 5.

Initialization is essential because it sets a known state for the variable before it is used, ensuring that it does not contain an undefined or garbage value which could lead to errors in the program. Proper initialization is a foundational concept in programming because it helps maintain code reliability and predictability throughout the execution of a program.