> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.pythonclassroom.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.pythonclassroom.com/functions/variable-scope.md).

# Variable Scope

## Variable Scope

The scope of a variable is where you can access it.

{% hint style="info" %}
One way to think about the scope of a variable is where it lives and who can see it in a program.
{% endhint %}

### Global Variable

A global variable is defined outside of functions and is visible to all functions that are defined after it. 

{% code title="scope.py" %}

```python
x = 10

def main():
   print(x)
   
main()
```

{% endcode %}

What is the output of this program?

### Local Variable

A local variable is defined within a function.  Another way to think about it is, a variable that is declared inside a function, stays inside the function.  

```python
def main():
    x = 10
    print(x)
main()
```

What is the output of this program?

### Local vs Global Variable

```python
x = 10

def main():
    x = 11
    print(x)
    
main()
```

What is the output of this program?


---

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