Program 7-15: Write a program to access any variable outside the function.

Question

Accepted Answer

> [!TLDR]
> Program 7-15 is the flip side of 7-14: *assigning* to `num` inside the function creates a **local** variable that shadows the global, so the function prints 10 while the global outside remains 5.

**The idea — assignment decides locality.** Python decides a variable's scope at compile time: any name **assigned** anywhere in a function body is local to that function (unless declared `global`). So the `num` inside `someFunc()` is a different variable from the global `num`, despite the identical name.

```python
# Program 7-15: assigning inside the function creates a LOCAL variable

def someFunc():
    num = 10                                  # local num is created here
    print("Inside the function, num =", num)

num = 5        # global num
someFunc()
print("Outside the function, num =", num)
```

**Expected output**

```
Inside the function, num = 10
Outside the function, num = 5
```

**Reading the run**
1. The call executes `num = 10` — that *creates a local* `num`; the global is not consulted at all.
2. The print inside sees the local → 10.
3. The local dies when the function returns; the global `num` was never touched → the outer print shows 5.

If we truly want the function to modify the global, we must say so explicitly:

```python
def someFunc():
    global num …

Q.Program 7-15: Write a program to access any variable outside the function.

Concept understanding — Variable Scope

Variable Scope: The Concept

The Precise Statement

The Two Main Kinds of Scope

1. Local Scope (Inside a Function/Block)

2. Global Scope (Outside All Functions)

Why Scope Matters …

Q.Program 7-15: Write a program to access any variable outside the function.

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