variable manipulation

Variable manipulation is a method of specifying or editing variables in a computer program. Variable manipulation can be used to create dynamic content in HTML and programming languages. However, the method can also be used by an attacker, to alter data that a browser sends to a Web server. A variable, in this context, is a string of text symbols and/or numerals that can change, depending on conditions or on information passed to the program.

In mathematics, variable manipulation is the process of rearranging a multivariable equation to express a specific variable as a function of other variables. The variable thus singled-out is known as the dependent variable, while the other variables are called independent variables. In this context, a variable is a mathematical quantity whose numerical value can change, in contrast to constants that have fixed numerical values.

Read more about variable manipulation: - Michael Cobb warns how hackers can take advantage of Web application variable manipulation. - John Cogeshall discusses variable manipulation in PHP scripts. - The Oracle ThinkQuest Library explains variable manipulation in Perl.

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