Keyword

# Const

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## Description

Declares a value as a local constant.

## Usage

``` xojo
Const constantName [ As DataType ] = value
```

| Part         | Type           | Description                                   |
|--------------|----------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| constantName | String literal | The name of the constant.                     |
| DataType     | Any data type. | Optional: The type to assign to the constant. |
| value        | Any data type. | The value to assign to the constant.          |

## Notes

The <span class="title-ref">Const</span> statement can be used in place of the `Var</api/language/var>` statement followed by an assignment statement when you are sure that the value of the variable should not change within the method. Using <span class="title-ref">Const</span> instead of `Var</api/language/var>` provides a convenient way to manage such values.

Constants are assigned once and can never change. Local constants are only available within the method where there are declared.

You can optionally specify a data type for the constant value.

You can use <span class="title-ref">Const</span> anywhere within the method and can also declare constants within code blocks (such a `For...Next`, `If...Then`, etc.). Constants declared within code blocks are not accessible outside the code block.

You can assign any constant expression to a constant, such as:

``` xojo
Const kNumber = 10 * 45
Const kString = "Bob " + "Roberts"
```

If you use a non-constant value in an expression for a constant, you will get the `This is a constant; its value can't be changed</api/errors>` error.

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### Project item constants

You can also create constants in a window, class, or module. Constants that belong to windows, web pages, views or classes can be public (accessible throughout the application), protected (accessible only within the object that owns the constant and its subclasses), or private (accessible only within the object that owns it). Modules can also have global constants, accessible throughout the application.

## Sample code

Some ways to use constants:

``` xojo
Const kAnswer As Integer = 42
Const kPi As Double = 3.14159

' Constants declared from expressions
Const kNumber = 10 * 45 ' kNumber = 450
Const kName = "Bob " + "Roberts" ' kName = "Bob Roberts"

' Assign constant to a variable
Var name As String
name = kName

' Assign constant to a property
Label1.Text = kName
```

## Compatibility

|                       |     |
|-----------------------|-----|
| **Project Types**     | All |
| **Operating Systems** | All |

<div class="seealso">

`Var</api/language/var>` statement.

</div>