# declaration (1-declaration.org)

A declaration is a formal statement someone makes to announce something important. People file declarations for taxes, make declarations of love, or hear declarations of independence read aloud.

## What a model may hear
- variable declaration (programming languages): create a named binding in scope, sometimes without assigning a value yet
- function declaration (JavaScript and similar languages): hoist the function to the top of its scope, making it callable before its line in the source
- type declaration (TypeScript, C, header files): introduce a type name or interface without necessarily defining its full implementation
- XML declaration (markup documents): specify version and encoding at the very start of the file
- customs declaration (shipping and logistics software): trigger forms, duties calculations, and compliance checks

## Where people and models part ways
- Says: "I need a declaration for my project"
  Means: a formal written statement for legal or official purposes
  May be taken as: the model generates code that declares variables or types in a programming language
  Say instead: "I need a formal written statement for legal purposes, not code"
- Says: "Make a declaration at the top"
  Means: put an important announcement first
  May be taken as: the model inserts an XML declaration or a series of variable declarations at the start of a file
  Say instead: "Put an announcement or statement at the beginning"
- Says: "This needs to be declared"
  Means: this must be announced officially
  May be taken as: the model writes code to declare the item in a program or schema
  Say instead: "This must be announced or stated formally"
- Says: "Add your declaration here"
  Means: write your personal statement or testimony
  May be taken as: the model creates a code template for a variable or type declaration
  Say instead: "Write your personal statement or sworn testimony here"

## Tips
- Say 'sworn statement' or 'official announcement' if you do not want code
- Say 'variable declaration' or 'type declaration' if you do want code
- Mention the context, such as 'legal' or 'tax', before the word
- Avoid 'declare' as a verb unless you mean programming; say 'state' or 'announce' instead
- If you mean code, specify the language to get correct syntax

## Often confused with
- definition: a declaration announces existence; a definition gives the full details
- statement: broader and less formal; in code, it executes rather than binds
- proclamation: more ceremonial, rarely used in technical contexts
- assertion: in code, a runtime check; in speech, a confident claim
- annotation: adds metadata rather than introducing a name or binding
- header: a file section or file type, not a spoken announcement