What is the difference between hoisting in Python and JavaScript?

What is the difference between hoisting in Python and JavaScript?

In JavaScript, hoisting means that variable and function declarations are moved to the top of their containing scope during compilation. This allows you to use functions and variables before they are declared. In Python, however, hoisting does not occur; variables must be declared before they are used.

Can you give an example of hoisting in JavaScript?

Sure! In JavaScript, if you declare a variable using var like this:

console.log(x); // undefined
var x = 5;
console.log(x); // 5

The first console.log outputs undefined because the declaration is hoisted, but the assignment happens later.

What about Python? How does it handle variable declarations?

In Python, if you try to access a variable before it is declared, you'll get a NameError. For example:

print(x)  # Raises NameError
x = 5

You must declare x before using it.

Are there any exceptions to this in either language?

In JavaScript, function declarations are fully hoisted, so you can call a function before its declaration. In Python, there are no exceptions; variables must always be declared before use.