Last time, we learned about default parameters to make functions more flexible. But have you noticed something interesting about variables inside functions versus variables outside them?
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Where exactly do variables "live" in our programs?
Variables created inside a function have local scope - they only exist within that function. These local variables are born when the function starts and disappear when it ends.
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What happens to result after the function finishes?
Local variables can't be accessed from outside their function. This code would cause an error because result doesn't exist outside the function:
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Why do you think this protection exists?
Variables created outside functions have global scope - they can be accessed from anywhere in the program, including inside functions:
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Can you see how username is available everywhere?
However, if a function creates a variable with the same name as a global one, the local version takes priority inside that function. The global variable remains unchanged:
