// separate static method which returns a status.
  Variable(TFE_TensorHandle* handle, TF_DataType type)
      : handle_(handle), type_(type) {}

  // Helper for constructing a resource handle and wrapping it in a `Variable`
  // object.
  static Variable* Create(TFE_Context* context, TF_DataType type,
                          const int64_t* dims, const int num_dims,