[Tutor] Global var problem

[Alan Gauld]

> messing about with classes I've come across something basic that I don't 
> understand.

As you say this has nothing to do with classes its more basic. Its about 
namespaces. Try reading the namespaces topic in my tutor for more info.

Meanwhile lets simplify by removing the class bit

def f():
   print x

def g():
   x = x + 1    # expanded version of ++ shortcut
   print x

x = 42
f()    # prints 42
g()   # gives an error 

The error is because you are assigning to x thus creating a local var 
of that name, but you are using x in the definition of x which doesn't 
make any kind of sense

def h():
   global x
   x += 1
  print x

h()   # prints 43

HTH,

Alan G
Author of the learn to program web tutor
http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/alan.gauld