adds scope

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waldek 2021-10-29 14:01:34 +02:00
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@ -584,6 +584,73 @@ bake_cake("banana")
## Variable scope ## Variable scope
Variable scope might sounds complicated but with some examples you'll understand it in no time.
Remember variables are like unique *post-its*?
Well, variable scope is like having multiple colors for your post-its.
A yellow post-it with `name` on it is not the same as a red one with `name` on it so they can both reference **different** objects.
Scope is **where** the colors change, and this is done automatically for you in python.
It's an inherent feature of the language but the concept of scope is not unique to python, you'll find it in most modern languages.
Now, some examples.
```python3
total = 9000
def function_scope(argument_one, argument_two):
print("inside the function", argument_one, argument_two)
total = argument_one + argument_two
print("inside the function", total)
function_scope(300, 400)
print("outside the function", total)
```
Here `total` outside of the function references a different object from the `total` inside of the function.
Python is very *nice* and will try to fix some common mistakes or oversights by itself.
For example.
```python3
name = "Wouter"
def function_scope():
print("inside the function", name)
function_scope()
print("outside the function", name)
```
But we can not **modify** the referenced object from **inside** the function.
This will give an `UnboundLocalError: local variable 'name' referenced before assignment` error
```python3
name = "Wouter"
def function_scope():
print("inside the function", name)
name = "Alice"
function_scope()
print("outside the function", name)
```
There is however a handy **keyword** we can use to explicitly reference variables from the outermost scope.
This is done as follows with the `global` keyword.
```python3
name = "Wouter"
def function_scope():
global name
print("inside the function", name)
name = "Alice"
function_scope()
print("outside the function", name)
```
## Functions that *return* something ## Functions that *return* something
TODO basic math functions TODO basic math functions