Description: A literal is a fixed value that is used directly in the code of a program. These values can be of different types, such as numbers, strings, booleans, among others. Literals are fundamental in programming as they allow developers to specify concrete data without the need for variables. For example, in many programming languages, a numeric literal could be ’42’, while a string literal could be ‘Hello, world’. Literals are immutable, meaning their value cannot change during the execution of the program. This characteristic makes them ideal for representing constants or values that do not require modification. Additionally, literals can be used in expressions and operations, facilitating the writing of clear and concise code. In many programming languages, literals are recognized by their specific syntax, allowing the compiler or interpreter to identify their type and value. In summary, literals are basic and essential elements in program construction, providing a direct way to work with data in code.
