Blockchain Developer Certification Practice

What does it mean if a programming language is statically typed?

1. The type is determined at runtime

2. The type needs to be defined for each variable

3. Variables are typed implicitly

4. Types can change during execution

The correct answer is: The type needs to be defined for each variable

A programming language is considered statically typed when the type of a variable is determined at compile time, not at runtime. This means that the type must be explicitly defined for each variable before it can be used. This requirement helps to catch type-related errors early in the development process, as mismatched types will generate compile-time errors rather than runtime errors. In this context, requiring a type definition for each variable ensures that developers are clear about the kind of data each variable is expected to hold, leading to better code quality and maintainability. Statically typed languages often use more strict compilers, which can optimize performance and provide clearer documentation within the codebase, as the types involved are known ahead of time. The other choices relate to concepts that describe dynamic typing or more implicit behaviors seen in other programming paradigms, which do not apply to static typing. For example, determining types at runtime or allowing type changes during execution are characteristics of dynamically typed languages rather than statically typed ones.