Why compile error “Use of unassigned local variable”?

Question

My code is the following

int tmpCnt;  
if (name == \"Dude\")  
   tmpCnt++;  

Why is there an error Use of unassigned local variabl

Answer 1

local variables don't have a default value.

They have to be definitely assigned before you use them. It reduces the chance of using a variable you think you've given a sensible value to, when actually it's got some default value.