Demystifying JavaScript Variables: Global vs. Local Explained

Understanding the Crucial Difference for Smooth Coding

Max N
2 min readMar 13, 2024
Photo by Alec Weir on Unsplash

JavaScript, the cornerstone of modern web development, offers developers a plethora of tools and functionalities to craft dynamic and interactive web applications. Among these tools, understanding the distinction between global and local variables is paramount for writing clean and efficient code.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the world of JavaScript variables, shedding light on the crucial disparity between global and local variables, accompanied by practical examples to solidify your understanding.

Global Variables:

Global variables in JavaScript are declared outside of any function. They are accessible from any part of the code, making them convenient but potentially risky if not used judiciously.

Let’s illustrate with an example:

var globalVar = "I am global";

function greet() {
console.log(globalVar); // Accessible
}

greet(); // Output: "I am global"
console.log(globalVar); // Output: "I am global"

In this example, globalVar is accessible both inside and outside the greet() function because it's declared globally.

Local Variables:

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Max N

A writer that writes about JavaScript and Python to beginners. If you find my articles helpful, feel free to follow.