What is the scope of a global variable?

A global variable is a variable that is globally accessible, meaning it can be accessed from any part of the program, since it is declared outside of all functions or classes. This is contrary to a local variable which is only accessible within the specific function or class it is declared within. What is the difference between a global and local variable? The main difference between a global and local variable is their scope i.e., the parts of the program where they can be accessed. A global variable can be accessed by any function or class in the program as it's declared outside the functions or classes. On the other hand, a local variable is only accessible within the specific function or class it is declared within. Why are global variables often discouraged? Global variables might be useful when multiple functions or classes need to access or modify the same value but are often discouraged due to their potential for misuse which can lead to confusion and conflicts in the code. They can also cause unintended side effects. It is generally recommended to make use of local variables as much as possible to maintain better control over your code.