Variable
A PHP variable starts with $ and a letter or underscore. $marks = 72; $name = 'Asha'; No type on the left by default. Types exist at runtime (int, string, array, object, null).
Names are case-sensitive — $Marks is not $marks. Assignment is = . Compare with == or === (=== also checks type).
Trap — marks = 72 without $. Trap: == vs = inside if ($marks = 40) which assigns.
Exam tip
$marks = 72; Names start with $.