Static Variables

Static variables in C are variables that retain their value between function calls. They are declared using the static keyword. Here are some essential points about static variables:

• Lifetime: Static variables are created when the program starts and destroyed when the program ends. They retain their value between function calls.
• Memory Location: Static variables are allocated in the data segment of memory, not the stack segment like regular local variables.
• Scope: Static variables have a local scope. They are only accessible within the function where they are declared.
• Initialization: Static variables are initialized only once. If not explicitly initialized, they are initialized to zero.
• Type: Static variables can be of any type, including arrays and structures.

Here’s an example of using static variables in C:

#include <stdio.h>
 
// function with static variable
int fun()
{
    static int count = 0;
    count++;
    return count;
}
 
int main()
{
    printf("%d ", fun());
    printf("%d ", fun());
    return 0;
}