| PerlFAQ Server 2005-06-06, 8:57 pm |
| This message is one of several periodic postings to comp.lang.perl.misc
intended to make it easier for perl programmers to find answers to
common questions. The core of this message represents an excerpt
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7.16: What's the difference between dynamic and lexical (static) scoping? Between local() and my()?
"local($x)" saves away the old value of the global variable $x and
assigns a new value for the duration of the subroutine *which is visible
in other functions called from that subroutine*. This is done at
run-time, so is called dynamic scoping. local() always affects global
variables, also called package variables or dynamic variables.
"my($x)" creates a new variable that is only visible in the current
subroutine. This is done at compile-time, so it is called lexical or
static scoping. my() always affects private variables, also called
lexical variables or (improperly) static(ly scoped) variables.
For instance:
sub visible {
print "var has value $var\n";
}
sub dynamic {
local $var = 'local'; # new temporary value for the still-global
visible(); # variable called $var
}
sub lexical {
my $var = 'private'; # new private variable, $var
visible(); # (invisible outside of sub scope)
}
$var = 'global';
visible(); # prints global
dynamic(); # prints local
lexical(); # prints global
Notice how at no point does the value "private" get printed. That's
because $var only has that value within the block of the lexical()
function, and it is hidden from called subroutine.
In summary, local() doesn't make what you think of as private, local
variables. It gives a global variable a temporary value. my() is what
you're looking for if you want private variables.
See "Private Variables via my()" in perlsub and "Temporary Values via
local()" in perlsub for excruciating details.
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