If you declare a variable inside a function, what term describes this variable?

• A. Global variable
• B. Static variable
• C. Local variable
• D. Instance variable

Answer: (C)

Variable scope determines where a variable can be accessed. When you declare a variable inside a function, it is a local variable. That means it belongs to that function, so code outside the function can’t read or use it. Its lifetime is tied to the function’s execution—typically a new local variable is created each time the function runs, and it disappears when the function finishes. Some languages offer variations, like static variables that keep their value between calls, but those are not the same as a standard local variable. An instance variable belongs to an object, and a global variable belongs to the outermost scope, accessible from anywhere. So the term for a variable declared inside a function is local variable.