Static Variables in C

Static variables are not the default class of global variables, and the variable allocation takes place first at the time of program execution. A static variable is access quantifier that can limit the scope however it also cause the variable to exist for the lifetime of the program. Meaning, the static variable can not be seen outside the function.

The static variable value is persisted between all the success calls made to the function.

The address of the static variables can be passed to other modules and function in other C programs or files.

Static variable can be delcared many times but it can be initialized only once.

Static Variable Example in C

#include <stdio.h> static int x; // Declaring Static Variable x static int x = 10; // Initializing Static Variable x static int x; // Declaring Same static variable X again int main(){ static int x; printf("The value of static variable x is %d", x); return 0; } Try It Now

In the above program, we've declared the same static variable multiple times but we initialized the variable only one time. That is an important thing to remember

The value of an integer type static variable is zero or null. See the below example

#include <stdio.h> static int x; static int y; int main(){ printf("The default value of static variable of x is %d", x); printf("The default value of static variable of y is %d", y); } Try It Now

Few Important Points About Static Variables

• Static variables can be declared as many times but it can be initialized only once
• The default value of integer type variable is zero otherwise null
• The visiblity of a static variable declared locally is within the block where it was declared
• If a static variable declared gloablly then its visibility is only within the file it was declared.

Other Variable Topics you might want to learn

Global Variables in C

Static Variabls in C

Difference between Static and Global Variables- StackOverFlow