Unit-II Functions and Arrays

Variable Scope – Storage Classes

Variable Scope
 In C programming, variable scope refers to the region of the code where a variable is
accessible and can be used.
 Here's a breakdown of variable scope in C, along with examples:

Types of Variable Scope:

1. Local Scope: Variables declared within a function or block are accessible only within
that function or block.

Example:

#include <stdio.h>
void myFunction()
{
int x = 10; // Local variable
printf("%d\n", x);
}

int main()
{
// x is not accessible here
printf("Hello, World!\n");
myFunction();
return 0;
}

2. Global Scope: Variables declared outside all functions and blocks are accessible from
any part of the program.

Example:

#include <stdio.h>
int x = 10; // Global variable
void myFunction()
{
printf("Global x: %d\n", x);
}

int main()
{
printf("Global x: %d\n", x);
myFunction();
return 0;
}

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Variable Scope – Storage Classes
3. Block Scope: Variables declared within a block (e.g., if, while, for) are accessible only
within that block.

Example:

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
int i = 5;
if (i > 10) {
int x = 20; // Block variable
printf("Block x: %d\n", x);
}
// x is not accessible here
printf("Hello, World!\n");
return 0;
}

4. Function Parameter Scope: Function parameters are accessible only within the
function.

Example:

#include <stdio.h>

void myFunction(int x) // Function parameter

{
printf("Parameter x: %d\n", x);
}
int main()
{
myFunction(10);
return 0;
}

5. Static Scope: Variables declared with the static keyword retain their value between
function calls.
Example:

#include <stdio.h>
void myFunction()
{
static int x = 10; // Static variable
printf("Static x: %d\n", x);
x++;
}

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Variable Scope – Storage Classes
int main()
{
myFunction(); // Prints 10
myFunction(); // Prints 11
return 0;
}

Variable Scope Resolution:

When multiple variables with the same name are declared in different scopes, the
innermost scope takes precedence.

Example:

#include <stdio.h>

int x = 10; // Global variable

void myFunction()
{
int x = 20; // Local variable
printf("Local x: %d\n", x);
}

int main() {
printf("Global x: %d\n", x);
myFunction();
return 0;
}

Output:

Global x: 10
Local x: 20

Understanding variable scope is crucial in C programming to avoid naming conflicts,

unexpected behavior, and bugs.

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Variable Scope – Storage Classes
Storage Class
In C programming, a storage class is a keyword that defines the lifetime, scope, and
memory location of a variable. It determines how a variable is stored and accessed.

Here are the storage classes in C:

1. Automatic (auto)
2. Register (register)
3. Static (static)
4. External (extern)
5. Typedef (typedef)

1. Automatic (auto)

Default storage class. Variables are allocated on the stack and destroyed when the function
returns.

Example:
void func()
{
auto int x = 10; // equivalent to int x = 10;
printf("%d", x);
}

2. Register (register)

Variables are stored in registers (if available) for faster access.

Example:

void func()
{
register int x = 10;
for (int i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
x += i;
}
printf("%d", x);
}

3. Static (static)

Variables retain their value between function calls.

Example:
void func()
{
static int x = 10;
printf("%d", x++);
}

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Variable Scope – Storage Classes
int main()
{
func(); // prints 10
func(); // prints 11
return 0;
}

4. External (extern)

Variables are shared across multiple source files.

file1.c:
int global_var = 10;

file2.c:
extern int global_var;

void func()
{
printf("%d", global_var);
}

5. Typedef (typedef)

Not a storage class, but a type of definition.

Example:
typedef int MY_INT;
MY_INT x = 10;

In summary:
- auto (default): stack-based, function scope
- register: register-based, function scope
- static: retained value, function scope
- extern: shared across files, global scope
- typedef: type definition, no storage implications

Storage classes in C provide several benefits:

Automatic (auto) Benefits:

1. Efficient memory usage: Variables are automatically deallocated when out of scope.
2. Reduced memory leaks: No need to manually free memory.
3. Faster execution: Variables are stored on the stack, providing quick access.

Register (register) Benefits:

1. Improved performance: Variables stored in registers are accessed faster.

2. Reduced memory access: Less memory access, resulting in faster execution.

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Variable Scope – Storage Classes
Static (static) Benefits:

1. Persistent data: Variables retain values between function calls.

2. Efficient memory usage: Memory allocated only once.
3. Reduced initialization overhead: Variables initialized only once.

External (extern) Benefits:

1. Shared data: Variables can be shared across multiple source files.

2. Global accessibility: Variables can be accessed from any file.
3. Efficient memory usage: Memory allocated only once.

Typedef (typedef) Benefits:

1. Improved code readability: Simplifies complex type declarations.

2. Reduced errors: Ensures consistency in type usage.
3. Portability: Simplifies code migration across platforms.

General Benefits:
1. Memory management: Storage classes help manage memory efficiently.
2. Code organization: Storage classes help organize code and reduce complexity.
3. Performance optimization: Storage classes can improve performance by reducing
memory access and improving data locality.
4. Code reusability: Storage classes enable code reusability by allowing variables to be
shared across functions and files.
5. Error reduction: Storage classes help reduce errors by ensuring variables are properly
initialized and accessed.

Best Practices:

1. Use auto for local variables.

2. Use register for frequently accessed variables.
3. Use static for persistent data.
4. Use extern for shared data across files.
5. Use typedef for complex type declarations.

By understanding the benefits and best practices of storage classes, you can write more
efficient, organized, and effective C code.