What is the difference between lexical and dynamic scope?

Can you explain the difference between lexical and dynamic scope?

Sure! Lexical scope means that the scope of a variable is determined by its location in the source code, while dynamic scope means that the scope is determined by the call stack at runtime.

Can you give me an example of each?

Of course! In lexical scope, if a variable is defined inside a function, it can only be accessed within that function. In dynamic scope, a variable can be accessed by any function that is called after it is defined, regardless of where it is defined.

Which one is more commonly used in programming languages?

Lexical scope is more commonly used in modern programming languages like JavaScript and Python, while dynamic scope is less common but can be found in languages like Perl.

Why is lexical scope preferred?

Lexical scope is preferred because it makes code easier to understand and maintain, as the variable's scope is clear from its position in the code.