Python Scope

Python scope

Created By: chatGPT

In Python, the concept of scope refers to the visibility and lifetime of a variable. It determines where a variable can be accessed or modified. Python has several scopes that affect how variables are handled during execution.

The main types of scopes in Python are:

Local Scope: Variables defined within a function are accessible only inside that function.
Enclosing Scope: This occurs when a function is nested within another function. The inner function can access variables from its own scope and the outer function's scope.
Global Scope: Variables defined at the top level of a script or module are accessible throughout the entire module. To modify a global variable inside a function, the global keyword is used.
Built-in Scope: This contains built-in functions and variables that are available in any Python code, such as print() and len().

Here's an example to illustrate local and global scope:

x = 10  # Global Variable

def local_scope_example():
    x = 5  # Local Variable
    print('Inside function:', x)

local_scope_example()
print('Outside function:', x)

In the example above, within the function local_scope_example, a new local variable x is created, which shadows the global variable. The output will be:

Inside function: 5
Outside function: 10

If you want to access the global variable within a function, you can use the global keyword as follows:

x = 10  # Global Variable

def modify_global():
    global x
    x = 5  # Modify global variable

modify_global()
print('Global x after modification:', x)

After calling modify_global, the value of the global variable x will be changed to 5, and the output will be:

Global x after modification: 5

Understanding scope is crucial for managing variable states and avoiding unintended side effects in your code. This knowledge helps you to write more maintainable and efficient Python scripts.