While working with a Python project, you may encounter Python Error: Local variable referenced before assignment. What should you do in this case? How can you fix this problem? Do not panic yet; this guide will show you how to handle it like a professional. Let’s get started!

What Causes Python Error: Local variable referenced before assignment?

Python Error: local variable referenced before assignment happens when a variable is referred to before it is assigned in the body of a function. It can also occur if the code tries to get access to a global variable, a construct of programming languages.

In programming, a name binding’s scope is the area of the program where the binding is valid, or where it can be utilized to refer to an entity. The term might be used to refer to anything else in other areas of the software or nothing.

The Python programming language has two different variable scope types: global and local. While local variables can only be accessed inside a function where they were first defined, global variables can be accessed across the entire program.

Since global variables are accessible from anywhere in the program and contain global scopes, users frequently try to use them in functions. Notice that a variable in Python by default is regarded as local; thus, you do not need to initialize or declare it before utilizing it.

The code gives back the Python Error: local variable referenced before assignment if a program attempts to access a global variable inside the function without declaring it to be global. This is because the variables being referenced are regarded as local variables.

How To Fix Python Error: Local variable referenced before assignment

With the use of the Python keyword global, you may declare a variable to be global. When a variable is marked global, the Python program will access it inside a function without running into any problems.

The following code will show you the scenario in which your program results in the mistake.

count = 10

def myfunc():

    count = count + 1

    print(count)

myfunc()

Output.

UnboundLocalError: local variable 'count' referenced before assignment

To fix this issue, you must declare the variable count as global utilizing the keyword global. Use the following example of utilizing the keyword global as a reference.

count = 10

def myfunc():

    global count

    count = count + 1

    print(count)

myfunc()

Output.

11

The Bottom Line

So there you have the answers to what causes Python Error: Local variable referenced before assignment and how to fix it. Hopefully, you will find this guide useful and easy to follow. What are you waiting for? Put our method into practice, and this error will soon be gone.

Suppose you encounter the UnboundError: local variable referenced before assignment, a common error in the Python programming language; check out this tutorial. It will walk you through why this issue occurs and how it solves it.