University of Central Florida (UCF) EGN3211 Engineering Analysis and Computation Practice Exam

The variable 'n' has function scope, meaning that it is accessible only within the function where it is declared. This characteristic limits the visibility of 'n' to the duration of that particular function's execution. Once the function has finished executing, 'n' no longer exists, and any attempt to access it from outside that function will result in an error.

In programming, function scope helps prevent naming conflicts and inadvertent changes to the variable from outside of its intended context, promoting better code organization and reducing potential bugs. This effective encapsulation is a key reason why many programming languages adopt function scope for local variables.

In contrast, block scope pertains to variables declared within a specific code block, such as within loops or conditionals, allowing for tighter control over variable visibility. Global scope allows a variable to be accessible from any part of the program, leading to its potential misuse if not managed correctly. Function-prototype scope refers to the visibility rules associated with function prototypes, which is another aspect entirely unrelated to local variable scopes.