What is the scope of a variable?

The scope of a variable refers to the region in the code where that variable can be accessed and used. Understanding scope is crucial for organizing code effectively and preventing naming conflicts.

For example, if a variable is declared inside a function, its scope is limited to that function. This means it cannot be accessed from outside the function, providing encapsulation of data and reducing the risk of unintended interference from other parts of the code. In contrast, variables declared outside of any function, often referred to as global variables, have a broader scope and can be accessed throughout the entire program.

The other options relate to different concepts regarding variables. The time duration for which a variable can hold a value pertains more to the variable's lifespan or lifetime rather than its scope. The maximum size that a variable can occupy in memory is a consideration of data types and system architecture, not scope. Finally, the type of data that a variable can store is related to data types, which define what kind of data can be assigned to a variable but do not determine where in the code that variable can be accessed.