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Table of contents
1.
Introduction  
2.
What are scope variables in python?
3.
Rules for creating variables
4.
Types of the scope of the variables
4.1.
Local scope
4.2.
Global scope
4.3.
Enclosing scope
4.4.
Built-in scope
5.
Global keyword
6.
Nonlocal Keyword
7.
Frequently asked questions
7.1.
Why is python called an interpreted language?
7.2.
How is memory managed in Python?
7.3.
What do you mean by pythonpath?
8.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024
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Scope of variables in Python

Introduction  

A variable in any language is a name given to a particular location in the memory. It holds the value that the user or programmer wants it to remember so that they can use it later. But in Python, we don't have to define the type of variable we are using, for example, integer, string, float, boolean, etc. In this blog, we learn about the scope of variables and types of scopes used in python.

Also See, Floor Division in Python and Convert String to List Python.

What are scope variables in python?

In a Python program, variables cannot be accessed from anywhere. The scope is that part of the program where the variable is accessible. For each variable, the scope is different and needs to be defined while declaring the variable.

Read More, Python for Data Science

Rules for creating variables

Python has some predefined rules that need to be followed while creating a variable. Those are:

  • Variable can only contain numbers, letters, or underscore characters (_).
  • Variables cannot start with a number.
  • Variables cannot be a keyword.
  • Variables cannot have spaces.

 

If these rules are not followed, then python will show an error. Let's look into some examples.

Code:

first integer =2334

 

Output:

File "<string>", line 1
    first integer =2334
          ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

Types of the scope of the variables

In python, the scope of variables is of four types:

1. Local scope

2. Global scope

3. Enclosing scope

4. Build-in scope

Local scope

Local scope variable in python can only be accessed inside a block. Here, a variable's scope lies within that function whenever a variable is defined. It is accessible till the end of the function, and hence its value cannot be accessed or changed outside the function. Let's look into some examples:

Code:

def function():
  n = 20
  print("The number is called inside the function,n= ",n)
function()

 

Output:

The number is called inside the function,n=  20

 

Let's see another example when the variable is accessed outside the function.

Code:

def print_number():
    n = 1
print_number()
print("The number called outside the function,n= ", first_num)

 

Output:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "<string>", line 5, in <module>
NameError: name 'first_num' is not defined

Global scope

Global variables can be accessed from anywhere in the program. In python, whenever a variable is declared outside a function, It can be accessed and changed from anywhere in the program and hence is called a global variable. Let's look into some examples:

Code

hi = "hello "
def hello():
    name="Raj"
    surname="Arora"
    print(hi, name,surname)
hello()

 

Output:

hello  Raj Arora

 

Here, variable ‘hi’ is declared outside the function but is still accessible in the function.

Enclosing scope

A scope that is neither global nor local is an enclosing scope. These are used when we have a nested function. Let's look into some examples:

Code:

def big():
    a = 1
    def small():
        b = 2
        print("accessing a from big : ", a)
        print("accessing b from small : ",b)
    small()
    print("accessing b from small: ", b)#outside small
big()

 

Output:

accessing a from big :  1
accessing b from small :  2
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "<string>", line 9, in <module>
File "<string>", line 8, in big
NameError: name 'b' is not defined

 

Here we can see that variable ‘b’ is not accessible from the function ‘big’.But variable ‘a’ can be accessed from ‘small’ because a has a larger scope.

You can practice by yourself with the help of online python compiler.

Built-in scope

In built-in scope, these are predefined in python—all the keywords used in python fall in this category. Keywords are special words whose functions are predefined in python and cannot be used for any other purpose.

Commonly used keywords are ‘false’, ‘and’, ‘as’ ,’ return’, ‘not’ etc.

Lets look into some example:

Code:

a = 5.5
int(a)
print(a)
print(type(a))

 

Output:

5.5
<class 'float'>

Global keyword

A global keyword is a keyword used to define the keyword globally. We need global keywords in a function only when we want to change them. Let's look into it through some examples:

Code:

name="raj"
print(name)
def change_name(new_name):
    global name
    name=new_name
def print_name():
    print(name) 
change_name("rahul")
print_name()

 

Output:

raj
rahul

Nonlocal Keyword

The nonlocal keyword is used in nested loops or functions. It increases the scope of the variable and prevents it from binding locally. We declare a nonlocal keyword when we want to use or point the variable outside its function. Let's look into some examples:

Code:

def big():
    num1 = 1
    def small():
        nonlocal num1
        num1 = 0
        num2 = 1
        print("small - num2 is: ", num2)
    small()
    print("big - num1 is: ", num1)
big()

 

Output:

small - num2 is:  1
big - num1 is:  0

 

Also See, Python Round Function.

Frequently asked questions

Why is python called an interpreted language?

An interpreted language is a language in which statements are executed line by line. Since python runs its statement line by line, it is an interpreted language.

How is memory managed in Python?

In python, private heaps are used to store and manage memory.

What do you mean by pythonpath?

In python,pythonpath tells the interpreter the location of modules files imported in the program.

Conclusion

This blog has discussed the scope of variables in python by implementing code. We hope that this blog has helped you enhance your knowledge regarding trackers and their uses and if you would like to learn more, check out our articles related to Python. Do upvote our blog to help other ninjas grow. Happy Coding!”

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