const for Values That Never Change

In Zig, you give a value a name with a binding. The first choice you make is whether that name is allowed to change later.

The keyword const creates a name whose value can never be reassigned. It is the safe, default way to name things in Zig.

A const binding is immutable: once it points at a value, that link is locked. This makes your code easier to read and reason about.

Try to give a const a new value and the compiler stops you. Zig reports a clear error instead of silently letting the bug through.

You set a const's value right where you declare it. There is no empty const waiting to be filled in later on.

Fixed numbers like a buffer size or a max count are perfect for const. They name a value clearly and guarantee it stays put.

Good Zig style reaches for const first and only loosens up when a value truly must change. Less mutation means fewer surprises.

You usually do not write a type after const. Zig infers it from the value, so const count = 0 just works as an integer.

Constants declared outside any function become file-wide globals. They are evaluated once and shared across your whole program.

You will often see const std = @import. The result of an import is a value, and binding it with const keeps that module fixed.

Seeing const tells any reader the value will not move. That single keyword acts as a small, trustworthy promise about your intent.

You declare const limit = 10. What happens if you later write limit = 20?

You learned that const names a value that never changes. Initialize it once, let Zig infer the type, and reach for it as your default. 🔒