global variable


global variable

[¦glō·bəl ′ver·ē·ə·bəl] (computer science) A variable which can be accessed (used or changed) throughout a computer program and is not confined to a single block.

global variable

In programming, a variable that can be used by all modules and functions in the program. The common practice is to keep global variables to a minimum, because they can be manipulated by any routine in the program at any time. Contrast with local variable.