# Scope & Storage — C Programming

Source: https://www.geekswithgeeks.com/en/c/c-scope

> Where a variable lives and how long it survives.

## Local vs global

A **local** variable is declared inside a function and only exists while that function runs. A **global** variable is declared outside every function and is visible everywhere in the file.

## static keeps its value

A `static` local variable is initialised once and **remembers its value** between calls, unlike a normal local variable.

```c
void counter(void) {
    static int count = 0;
    count++;
    printf("%d\n", count);
}

// counter(); counter(); counter();
// prints 1, 2, 3
```

Output:

```
1
2
3
```

**Quiz:** What happens to a normal (non-static) local variable when its function returns?

- [ ] It keeps its value for next call
- [x] It is destroyed
- [ ] It becomes global

*Answer:* It is destroyed. Local variables live on the stack and are freed once the function returns.