What is the outcome of uninitialized variables in C++?

Prepare for the ASU CSE100 Programming Exam with C++ Study Guide. Review flashcards, multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations. Master your exam!

In C++, uninitialized variables do not automatically receive a value and can contain what is known as "garbage values." Garbage values are essentially random data that happen to be stored in the memory location allocated for the variable. Since the variable has not been explicitly initialized by the programmer, the contents of that memory location can reflect any residual data leftover from previous operations or functions.

This behavior underscores the importance of initializing variables before use, as working with a variable containing garbage values can lead to unpredictable program behavior, including incorrect calculations, logical errors, or even program crashes.

In contrast to what some might think, uninitialized variables do not get assigned default values automatically. They also don’t cause compile errors, and they are not inherently set to zero; instead, their state is indeterminate, hence the critical need to ensure variables are initialized properly to maintain predictable program execution.

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