What is it called when a variable is given its first value in programming?

When a variable is given its first value in programming, the correct term to describe this action is "initialize." Initialization is a foundational concept in programming that involves setting a variable to a specific value for the first time, ensuring that it has a defined state before it is used in operations or calculations. This step is crucial because, without initialization, a variable may hold an undefined or garbage value, which can lead to unpredictable behavior or errors in the code.

Declaring a variable, on the other hand, refers to the act of creating a variable and specifying its type, if applicable, but does not involve actually assigning it a value. Assigning a value to a variable typically refers to giving it a value after it has already been declared or initialized. Defining a variable often overlaps with declaring and can mean creating a variable and specifying its properties in some contexts, but the precise act of giving it its first value is what makes initialization distinct and is essential for proper variable management in a program.