Terminology Confusion - “Variables” and val (Part One of an Ongoing Series)

In the grand Scala-brain-load I’ve reached variables.  It seems that in this case, close reading can lead to confusion.  I had assumed that when we talked about a “variable” we only meant a var, but it seems that this can also refer to a val:

“In Scala there are two ways you can define variables: var and val. A val is a single assignment variable sometimes called [a] value.” (Italics are mine)

Scala in Action, Nilanjan Raychaudhuri, Chapter 1

I’m not sniping. Nilanjan is completely correct in his use of “variable” to refer to vals but it highlights the need for me to keep my eyes open and my brain engaged.