When to use static keyword before global variables?

Question

Can someone explain when you\'re supposed to use the static keyword before global variables or constants defined in header files?

For example, lets say I have a head

Answer 1

Yes, use static

Always use static in .c files unless you need to reference the object from a different .c module.

Never use static in .h files, because you will create a different object every time it is included.

Answer 2

static before a global variable means that this variable is not accessible from outside the compilation module where it is defined.

E.g. imagine that you want to access a variable in another module:

foo.c

int var; // a global variable that can be accessed from another module
// static int var; means that var is local to the module only.
...

bar.c

extern int var; // use the variable in foo.c
...

Now if you declare var to be static you can't access it from anywhere but the module where foo.c is compiled into.

Note, that a module is the current source file, plus all included files. i.e. you have to compile those files separately, then link them together.