Scribd
Upload
31 views

Lect12 C Scope Rules

There are three scopes for variables in C programming: 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 from anywhere. Formal parameters act as local variables within a function. The scope rules determine where variables can be accessed based on whether they are declared as local, global, or a formal parameter.

Uploaded by

Chittari Sai krishna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
31 views

Lect12 C Scope Rules

There are three scopes for variables in C programming: 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 from anywhere. Formal parameters act as local variables within a function. The scope rules determine where variables can be accessed based on whether they are declared as local, global, or a formal parameter.

Uploaded by

Chittari Sai krishna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

C - Scope Rules

A scope in any programming is a region of the program where a defined variable can
have its existence and beyond that variable it cannot be accessed. There are three
places where variables can be declared in C programming language −
 Inside a function or a block which is called local variables.
 Outside of all functions which is called global variables.
 In the definition of function parameters which are called formal parameters.
Let us understand what are local and global variables, and formal parameters.

Local Variables
Variables that are declared inside a function or block are called 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. The following example shows how local
variables are used. Here all the variables a, b, and c are local to main() function.

#include <stdio.h>

int main () {

/* local variable declaration */


int a, b;
int c;

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

printf ("value of a = %d, b = %d and c = %d\n", a, b,


c);

return 0;
}
Global Variables
Global variables are defined outside a function, usually on top of the program. Global
variables hold their values throughout the lifetime of your program and they can be
accessed inside any of the functions defined for the 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. The following program show
how global variables are used in a program.

#include <stdio.h>

/* global variable declaration */


int g;

int main () {

/* local variable declaration */


int a, b;

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

printf ("value of a = %d, b = %d and g = %d\n", a, b,


g);

return 0;
}
A program can have same name for local and global variables but the value of local
variable inside a function will take preference. Here is an example −

#include <stdio.h>

/* global variable declaration */


int g = 20;

int main () {

/* local variable declaration */


int g = 10;

printf ("value of g = %d\n", g);

return 0;
}
When the above code is compiled and executed, it produces the following result −
value of g = 10
Formal Parameters
Formal parameters, are treated as local variables with-in a function and they take
precedence over global variables. Following is an example −

#include <stdio.h>

/* global variable declaration */


int a = 20;
int main () {

/* local variable declaration in main function */


int a = 10;
int b = 20;
int c = 0;

printf ("value of a in main() = %d\n", a);


c = sum( a, b);
printf ("value of c in main() = %d\n", c);

return 0;
}

/* function to add two integers */


int sum(int a, int b) {

printf ("value of a in sum() = %d\n", a);


printf ("value of b in sum() = %d\n", b);

return a + b;
}
When the above code is compiled and executed, it produces the following result −
value of a in main() = 10
value of a in sum() = 10
value of b in sum() = 20
value of c in main() = 30
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 Initial Default Value

int 0

char '\0'

float 0

double 0

pointer NULL
It is a good programming practice to initialize variables properly, otherwise your program
may produce unexpected results, because uninitialized variables will take some garbage
value already available at their memory location.

You might also like