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Everything about Scope (computer programming)

Part of a computer program where a given name binding is valid

In computer programming, the scope of a name binding is the part of a program in which the name binding is valid. In other words, a scope is where a name can be used to refer to an entity. In other parts of the program, the name may refer to a different entity, or to nothing at all. Scope helps prevent name collisions by allowing the same name to refer to different objects – as long as the names have separate scopes. The scope of a name binding is also known as the visibility of an entity, particularly in older or more technical literature—this is in relation to the referenced entity, not the referencing name. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: Scope (computer programming)A 5-minute orientation
  2. Pick up a classic book: Revised report on the algorithmic language ALGOL 68The most-reprinted book on the subject
  3. Read the landmark paper: Scope of Protection of Computer ProgramsCited 0 times
  4. Go sideways: Closure (computer programming)A closely related topic
  5. Go sideways: Local variableA closely related topic

đź“– Definitions

No dictionary entry for this exact phrase.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Definition
  2. Use
  3. Overview
  4. Levels of scope
  5. Lexical scope vs. dynamic scope
  6. Lexical scope
  7. Dynamic scope
  8. Qualified names
  9. By language

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

đź“š Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

đź”— Related topics