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Variable Scope

This document discusses variable scope in C++. There are three scopes for variables: local, global, and formal parameters. Local variables are declared within a function and are only accessible within that function. Global variables are declared outside of functions and are accessible everywhere. Formal parameters are variables in a function definition that receive values from the calling function. The document provides examples of declaring and initializing local and global variables, and explains that local variables take precedence over global variables of the same name.

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96 views

Variable Scope

This document discusses variable scope in C++. There are three scopes for variables: local, global, and formal parameters. Local variables are declared within a function and are only accessible within that function. Global variables are declared outside of functions and are accessible everywhere. Formal parameters are variables in a function definition that receive values from the calling function. The document provides examples of declaring and initializing local and global variables, and explains that local variables take precedence over global variables of the same name.

Uploaded by

api-284283149
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Variable Scope in C++

A scope is a region of the program and broadly speaking there are three places, where
variables can be declared:
Inside a function or a block which is called local variables,
In the definition of function parameters which is called formal parameters.
Outside of all functions which is called global variables.
We will learn what is a function and it's parameter in subsequent chapters. Here let us
explain what are local and global variables.

Local Variables:
Variables that are declared inside a function or block are local variables. They can be used
only by statements that are inside that function or block of code. Local variables are not
known to functions outside their own. Following is the example using local variables:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main ()
{
// Local variable declaration:
int a, b;
int c;

// actual initialization
a = 10;
b = 20;
c = a + b;

cout << c;

return 0;
}

Global Variables:
Global variables are defined outside of all the functions, usually on top of the program. The
global variables will hold their value throughout the life-time of your program.
A global variable can be accessed by any function. That is, a global variable is available for
use throughout your entire program after its declaration. Following is the example using
global and local variables:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Global variable declaration:


int g;

int main ()
{
// Local variable declaration:
int a, b;

// actual initialization
a = 10;
b = 20;
g = a + b;

cout << g;

return 0;
}

A program can have same name for local and global variables but value of local variable
inside a function will take preference. For example:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Global variable declaration:


int g = 20;

int main ()
{
// Local variable declaration:
int g = 10;

cout << g;

return 0;
}

When the above code is compiled and executed, it produces the following result:
10

Initializing Local and Global Variables:


When a local variable is defined, it is not initialized by the system, you must initialize it
yourself. Global variables are initialized automatically by the system when you define them
as follows:
Data Type

Initializer

int

char

'\0'

float

double

pointer

NULL

It is a good programming practice to initialize variables properly, otherwise sometimes


program would produce unexpected result.

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