Scope

Scope refers to the areas where variables are visible and accessible. Variables that can be accessed anywhere in a Python program are in the global scope. Conversely, variables that are defined within the body of structures like classes and methods exist only in the local scope.

Local Scope

Suppose a variable is initialized within a function. This variable can only be used within that function and not from outside the function.

def my_function():
 x = 200
 print(x)

my_function()

Nested Functions and Local Scope

In the example below, a variable x is defined within the local scope of the outer_function() function, followed by a defined inner_function() function. Since inner_function() exists within the local scope of outer_function(), x can be accessed and printed within inner_function():

def outer_function():
  x = 200
  # Initialized in outer function

  def inner_function():
    print(x)
  inner_function()

outer_function()
# Output: 200

Global Scope

A variable initialized in the main body is defined as a global variable and can be used anywhere in the code, including nested blocks, loops, etc. This is because these variables exist in the global scope of the code.

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