What is dynamic scoping and how does it work in different programming languages?

What is dynamic scoping and how does it work in different programming languages?

Dynamic scoping is a method of variable scope resolution where the variable's value is determined by the calling context. In languages like Perl and Lisp, dynamic scoping allows functions to access variables from the calling environment.

Can you give me an example of dynamic scoping in a programming language?

Sure! In Perl, if you declare a variable in a function and then call another function that uses that variable, the second function can access the variable's value if it's called from within the first function.

How does dynamic scoping differ from lexical scoping?

Dynamic scoping resolves variable values based on the call stack, while lexical scoping resolves them based on the structure of the code. This means that in lexical scoping, a variable's value is determined by its location in the source code.

Which languages primarily use dynamic scoping?

Languages like Perl, Lisp, and some versions of Bash use dynamic scoping. However, most modern languages, like Java and Python, use lexical scoping.