JavaScript Global Variables Explained with Examples

Global variables are declared outside of a function for accessibility throughout the program, while local variables are stored within a function using var for use only within that function’s scope. If you declare a variable without using var , even if it’s inside a function, it will still be seen as global:

var x = 5; //global variable
function someThing(y) {
    var z = x + y;
    console.log(z);
}

function someThing(y) {
    x = 5; //still a global variable!
    var z = x + y;
    console.log(z);
}

function someThing(y) {
    var x = 5; //local variable
    var z = x + y;
    console.log(z);
}

A global variable is also an object of the current scope, such as the browser window:

var dog = “Fluffy”;
console.log(dog); //Fluffy;

var dog = “Fluffy”;
console.log(window.dog); //Fluffy

It’s a best practice to minimize global variables. Since the variable can be accessed anywhere in the program, they can cause strange behavior.

References:

Additional Info:

The scope of JavaScript variables are either global or local. Global variables are declared OUTSIDE the function and its value is accessible/changeable throughout the program.

You should ALWAYS use var to declare your variables (to make locally) else it will install GLOBALLY

Take care with the global variables because they are risky. Most of the time you should use closures to declare your variables. Example:

    (function(){
      var myVar = true;
    })();