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+.. _arduino-scope:
+
+Variable Scope
+==============
+
+Variables in the C programming language, which Arduino uses, have a
+property called *scope*. This is in contrast to languages such as
+BASIC where every variable is a *global* variable.
+
+
+
+A global variable is one that can be *seen* by every function in a
+program. Local variables are only visible to the function in which
+they are declared. In the Arduino environment, any variable
+declared outside of a function (e.g. setup(), loop(), etc. ), is a
+global variable.
+
+
+
+When programs start to get larger and more complex, local variables
+are a useful way to insure that only one function has access to its
+own variables. This prevents programming errors when one function
+inadvertently modifies variables used by another function.
+
+
+
+It is also sometimes handy to declare and initialize a variable
+inside a *for* loop. This creates a variable that can only be
+accessed from inside the for-loop brackets.
+
+
+
+Example:
+--------
+
+::
+
+    int gPWMval;  // any function will see this variable
+    
+    void setup()
+    {
+      // ...
+    }
+    
+    void loop()
+    {
+      int i;    // "i" is only "visible" inside of "loop"
+      float f;  // "f" is only "visible" inside of "loop"
+      // ...
+    
+      for (int j = 0; j <100; j++){
+      // variable j can only be accessed inside the for-loop brackets
+      }
+    
+    }
+