Question

What is the scope of a global variable?

Short answer

Answer: The scope of a global variable extends throughout the entire program, meaning it can be accessed and modified from any function or class within the program. While this can be useful in some cases, it can also lead to potential issues. For example, if a global variable is modified by multiple functions, it can become challenging to track where and when changes are made, leading to unexpected behaviors and bugs in the code. It is generally recommended to use local variables and function arguments instead of global variables to minimize the risk of programming errors.

Step-by-step solution

Define a global variable

A global variable is a variable that is declared outside of any function or class, usually at the top of the program file. It can be accessed from any part of the code, and its scope extends through the entire program, meaning it can be accessed and modified from any function or class within the program.

Explain accessibility

Global variables can be accessed and modified by any function or class within the program. This means that they can be read, modified, or even deleted by the code running in any part of the program. This differs from local variables, which have a limited scope and can only be accessed from within the block of code they were declared in.

Discuss potential issues

While global variables can be useful in certain situations, their widespread accessibility can also lead to potential issues. For example, if a global variable is modified by multiple functions, it can become challenging to track where and when changes are made, leading to unexpected behaviors and bugs in the code. In general, it is recommended to use local variables and function arguments instead of global variables to minimize the risk of programming errors.

Provide an example

Here's a simple example to demonstrate the scope of a global variable: ```python # Declare a global variable global_variable = "I can be accessed from anywhere!" def access_global_variable(): # Access the global variable from within a function print(global_variable) def modify_global_variable(): global global_variable # Modify the global variable from within a function global_variable = "I have been modified!" # Call the functions to show the scope of the global variable access_global_variable() modify_global_variable() access_global_variable() ``` Output: ``` I can be accessed from anywhere! I have been modified! ``` In this example, the "global_variable" has a global scope, and it can be accessed and modified from both the "access_global_variable()" and "modify_global_variable()" functions.