2

Hey so i was wondering which is the more efficient way, or better practice to do in this situation.

1,

def function():
    global number
    number += 2

Or 2,

def function(number):
    return number += 2

Thanks.

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2
  • 6
    Did you try searching? Searching for "python local global performance" turned up this Stack Overflow question as the first result. More importantly, mutable global variables are a bad idea.
    – Doval
    Feb 3, 2015 at 17:04
  • If you are working on something where the performance difference between a global and a local matters, you should probably not be using python in the first place. This is a micro-optimization at best, and python's reasons for existence don't include speed.
    – Gort the Robot
    Feb 4, 2015 at 4:25

1 Answer 1

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4

Performance is irrelevant. Globals are evil (as gnat mentioned); you are best off forgetting the global keyword exists. There is always a better way.

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  • 2
    Feels a bit extreme to say "performance is irrelevant"... also you mention there is a better way, but you don't mention or point to it, so it is not a very useful answer IMHO.
    – RogerS
    Dec 23, 2020 at 11:00

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