Python Global Keyword (With Examples)
======
Before reading this article, make sure you have got some basics of [Python Global, Local and Nonlocal Variables][1].

### Introduction to global Keyword

In Python, `global` keyword allows you to modify the variable outside of the current scope. It is used to create a global variable and make changes to the variable in a local context.

#### Rules of global Keyword

The basic rules for `global` keyword in Python are:

  * When we create a variable inside a function, it’s local by default.
  * When we define a variable outside of a function, it’s global by default. You don’t have to use `global` keyword.
  * We use `global` keyword to read and write a global variable inside a function.
  * Use of `global` keyword outside a function has no effect



#### Use of global Keyword (With Example)

Let’s take an example.

##### Example 1: Accessing global Variable From Inside a Function
```
c = 1 # global variable

def add():
 print(c)

add()

```

When we run above program, the output will be:
```
1

```

However, we may have some scenarios where we need to modify the global variable from inside a function.

##### Example 2: Modifying Global Variable From Inside the Function
```
c = 1 # global variable

def add():
 c = c + 2 # increment c by 2
 print(c)

add()

```

When we run above program, the output shows an error:
```
UnboundLocalError: local variable 'c' referenced before assignment

```

This is because we can only access the global variable but cannot modify it from inside the function.

The solution for this is to use the `global` keyword.

##### Example 3: Changing Global Variable From Inside a Function using global
```
c = 0 # global variable

def add():
 global c
 c = c + 2 # increment by 2
 print("Inside add():", c)

add()
print("In main:", c)

```

When we run above program, the output will be:
```
Inside add(): 2
In main: 2

```

In the above program, we define c as a global keyword inside the `add()` function.

Then, we increment the variable c by `1`, i.e `c = c + 2`. After that, we call the `add()` function. Finally, we print global variable c.

As we can see, change also occured on the global variable outside the function, `c = 2`.

### Global Variables Across Python Modules

In Python, we create a single module `config.py` to hold global variables and share information across Python modules within the same program.

Here is how we can share global variable across the python modules.

##### Example 4 : Share a global Variable Across Python Modules

Create a `config.py` file, to store global variables
```
a = 0
b = "empty"

```

Create a `update.py` file, to change global variables
```
import config

config.a = 10
config.b = "alphabet"

```

Create a `main.py` file, to test changes in value
```
import config
import update

print(config.a)
print(config.b)

```

When we run the `main.py` file, the output will be
```
10
alphabet

```

In the above, we create three files: `config.py`, `update.py` and `main.py`.

The module `config.py` stores global variables of a and b. In `update.py` file, we import the `config.py` module and modify the values of a and b. Similarly, in `main.py` file we import both `config.py` and `update.py` module. Finally, we print and test the values of global variables whether they are changed or not.

### Global in Nested Functions

Here is how you can use a global variable in nested function.

##### Example 5: Using a Global Variable in Nested Function
```
def foo():
 x = 20

 def bar():
 global x
 x = 25

 print("Before calling bar: ", x)
 print("Calling bar now")
 bar()
 print("After calling bar: ", x)

foo()
print("x in main : ", x)

```

The output is :
```
Before calling bar: 20
Calling bar now
After calling bar: 20
x in main : 25

```

In the above program, we declare global variable inside the nested function `bar()`. Inside `foo()` function, x has no effect of global keyword.

Before and after calling `bar()`, the variable x takes the value of local variable i.e `x = 20`. Outside of the `foo()` function, the variable x will take value defined in the `bar()` function i.e `x = 25`. This is because we have used `global` keyword in x to create global variable inside the `bar()` function (local scope).

If we make any changes inside the `bar()` function, the changes appears outside the local scope, i.e. `foo()`.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

via: https://www.programiz.com/python-programming/global-keyword

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[1]:https://www.programiz.com/python-programming/global-local-nonlocal-variables