Following are the differences between a local variable and global variable:
| Basis for comparison |
Local variable |
Global variable |
| Declaration |
A variable which is declared inside function or block is known as a local variable. |
A variable which is declared outside function or block is known as a global variable. |
| Scope |
The scope of a variable is available within a function in which they are declared. |
The scope of a variable is available throughout the program. |
| Access |
Variables can be accessed only by those statements inside a function in which they are declared. |
Any statement in the entire program can access variables. |
| Life |
Life of a variable is created when the function block is entered and destroyed on its exit. |
Life of a variable exists until the program is executing. |
| Storage |
Variables are stored in a stack unless specified. |
The compiler decides the storage location of a variable. |