Variables that are created outside of a function (as in all of the examples above) are known as global variables.
Global variables can be used by everyone, both inside of functions and outside.
Example
Create a variable outside of a function, and use it inside the function
x = “awesome”
def myfunc():
print(“Python is ” + x)
myfunc()
Output:
Python is awesome
If you create a variable with the same name inside a function, this variable will be local, and can only be used inside the function. The global variable with the same name will remain as it was, global and with the original value.
Example
Create a variable inside a function, with the same name as the global variable
x = “awesome”
def myfunc():
x = “fantastic”
print(“Python is ” + x)
myfunc()
print(“Python is ” + x)
Output:
Python is fantastic
Python is awesome
Also, use the global
keyword if you want to change a global variable inside a function.
Example
To change the value of a global variable inside a function, refer to the variable by using the global
keyword:
x = “awesome”
def myfunc():
global x
x = “fantastic”
myfunc()
print(“Python is ” + x)
Output:
Python is fantastic