# Gas Saving Technique 2: Immutable Variable

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#### Introduction

Gas optimization is essential in the development of smart contracts on the Ethereum network. One effective technique to achieve this involves using `immutable` variables. An `immutable` variable can save a significant amount of gas as it is assigned once at the time of contract deployment and is read-only thereafter. It offers an advantage over `constant` variables, which are evaluated every time they are accessed, consuming more gas in the process.

#### Understanding `immutable` Variable Optimization

**Why Use `immutable`?**

* **Gas Efficiency**: Unlike `constant` variables, `immutable` variables are only computed and set during contract deployment. The assigned value is stored immutably, leading to gas savings during transactions as the value isn't recalculated each time it's accessed.
* **Readability Preserved**: Using `immutable` retains code readability while saving gas, providing clarity and efficiency in your smart contracts.

**Practical Examples**

**Changing Storage Variables to `immutable`**

Consider a contract where certain variables like `bribeVault` won’t change post-deployment. Using `immutable` instead of a regular storage variable can lead to gas savings.

Here’s a demonstration:

```solidity
solidityCopy code// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;

contract ImmutableExample {
    // Before optimization
    // address public bribeVault;
    
    // After optimization
    address public immutable bribeVault;

    constructor(address _bribeVault) {
        // Immutable variables are assigned once at deployment
        bribeVault = _bribeVault;
    }
}
```

**Making Unchanged Variables `immutable` or `constant`**

For variables that never change, like `_concurShareMultiplier` and `_perMille`, you should declare them as `constant` or `immutable` to save gas. Here’s an example:

```solidity
solidityCopy code// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;

contract ConstantsExample {
    // Before optimization
    // uint private _concurShareMultiplier = 1e18;
    // uint private _perMille = 1000;

    // After optimization
    uint private constant _concurShareMultiplier = 1e18;
    uint private constant _perMille = 1000;
}
```

In situations where the variable value is computed dynamically during contract deployment but remains constant thereafter, `immutable` is ideal:

```solidity
solidityCopy code// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;

contract ImmutableDeploymentExample {
    // Using immutable for dynamically set constant values
    uint public immutable deploymentValue;

    constructor(uint _multiplier) {
        deploymentValue = _multiplier * 2; // This value is computed once at deployment
    }
}
```

#### Consequences and Considerations

* Each usage of a "constant" may cost extra gas on each access. Although this cost is lower than storing the result in storage, it’s still more than using `immutable`.
* Since `constant` variables aren’t real constants in the compiled bytecode, they cannot be referenced in certain constant environments like assembly or other libraries.

#### Conclusion

Utilizing `immutable` variables provides a clear path towards optimizing gas usage in your smart contracts without sacrificing code readability. Carefully identify and assign values that remain unchanged post-deployment as `immutable` or `constant` to leverage these benefits. Always conduct thorough testing to ensure the assigned values truly remain constant for the life of the contract.

**Recommendation**&#x20;

[\[G-16\] Gas: “constants” expressions are expressions, not constants. Use “immutable” instead](https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-01-sherlock-findings/issues/113)

