What are global variables in Ruby?

What are global variables in Ruby?

Global variables in Ruby are accessible from anywhere in your program. They are defined with a dollar sign ($) prefix.

Can you give me an example of a global variable?

Sure! For instance, you can define a global variable like this: $my_variable = 10. You can access it from any method.

Are there any downsides to using global variables?

Yes, global variables can lead to code that is hard to maintain and debug, as they can be modified from anywhere.

When should I avoid using global variables?

You should avoid using global variables when you want to maintain encapsulation and reduce dependencies between different parts of your code.