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By using different variable names globally and locally, the compiler forces the developer to be more precise and descriptive with variable names.

Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example declares two variables with the same identifier, but in slightly different scopes. The scope of the identifier i declared in the for loop's initial clause terminates after the closing curly brace of the for loop. The scope of the identifier i declared in the for loop's compound statement terminates before the closing curly brace. Thus, the inner declaration of i hides the outer declaration of i, which can lead to unintentionally referencing the wrong object.

void f(void) {
  for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
    long i;
    /* ... */
  }
}

Compliant Solution

This compliant solution uses a unique identifier for the variable declared within the for loop.

void f(void) {
  for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
    long j;
    /* ... */
  }
}

Exceptions

DCL01-EX0C-EX1: A function argument in a function declaration may clash with a variable in a containing scope provided that when the function is defined, the argument has a name that clashes with no variables in any containing scopes.

extern int name;
void f(char *name);  /* Declaration: no problem here */
/* ... */
void f(char *arg) {  /* Definition: no problem; arg doesn't hide name */
  /* Use arg */
}

DCL01-C-EX1EX2: A temporary variable within a new scope inside of a macro can override a surrounding identifier.override an identifier in a containing scope. However,this exception does not apply to to the arguments of the macro itself.

#define SWAP(type, a, b) do { type tmp = a; a = b; b = tmp; } while(0)
 
void func(void) {
  int tmp = 100;
  int a = 10, b = 20;
  SWAP(int, a, b); /* Hidden redeclaration of tmp is acceptable */
  SWAP(int, tmp, b); /* NONCOMPLIANT: Hidden redeclaration of tmp clashes with argument */
}

Risk Assessment

Reusing a variable name in a subscope can lead to unintentionally referencing an incorrect variable.

Automated Detection

Related Vulnerabilities

Search for vulnerabilities resulting from the violation of this rule on the CERT website.

Related Guidelines

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