Sure thing! In Python, variable scope refers to the region or context in which a variable is defined and can be accessed. The scope of a variable determines where it can be used or modified in your code. There are two main types of variable scope in Python: global scope and local scope.
1. Global Scope:
a. A variable declared outside of any function or block has a global scope.
- It can be accessed from any part of the code, including inside functions.
# Example of global scope
global_variable = 10
def print_global_variable():
print(global_variable)
print_global_variable() # Output: 10
In this example, global_variable is declared outside the function and can be accessed inside the function as well.
2. Local Scope:
a. A variable declared inside a function has a local scope.
- It can only be accessed within that function.
# Example of local scope
def print_local_variable():
local_variable = 5
print(local_variable)
print_local_variable() # Output: 5
# Trying to access local_variable outside the function will result in an error
# print(local_variable) # Uncommenting this line will result in an error
In this example, local_variable is declared inside the function and can only be used within that function.
3. Global vs Local Scope:
a. When a variable with the same name is declared both globally and locally, the local variable takes precedence within its scope.
- Inside the function, the local variable variable is used, and it doesn't affect the value of the global variable with the same name.
# Example of global vs local scope
variable = 100 # Global variable
def print_variable():
variable = 50 # Local variable
print(variable)
print_variable() # Output: 50
print(variable) # Output: 100 (global variable remains unchanged)
Understanding variable scope is crucial for writing clean and maintainable code, as it helps prevent unintended variable modifications and ensures that variables are used in the appropriate context.
