Scope of Local Variables

The two types of local variables are: program-local and function-local.

• A program-local variable is declared as local in the main part of the program and is local to that program.

• A function-local variable is declared as local inside a function and is local only to that function.

See Recursive Functions.

A program-local variable can be affected by statements anywhere in the program. For example, suppose RECORD_A.FIELD_A.FieldFormula has two functions, FUNC_1 and FUNC_2, and both modify a local variable named &TEMP. They could affect each other, as they both use the same variable name in the same PeopleCode program.

If, however, FUNC_3 is defined in RECORD_B_FIELD_B.FieldFormula and makes reference to &TEMP, it is not the same &TEMP as in RECORD_A.FIELD_A.FieldFormula. This difference becomes important when FUNC_1 calls FUNC_3. Technically, both functions exist at the same time, one inside the other, but &TEMP is a different variable for each of them. However, if FUNC_1 calls FUNC_2, then &TEMP is the same variable for both.