Static Variables VS Pointers

Below is the sample code that I am working with. In the tutorial that relates to this example the author is explaining the usage of static variables as it relates to variable scope.

Code:

---

#include <stdio.h>

void func1(void);
main()
{
  int count;
  for (count = 0; count < 20; count++)
  {
      printf("At iteration %d: ", count);
      func1();
  }

  return 0;
}
void func1(void)
{
  static int x = 0;
  int y = 0;

  printf("x = %d, y = %d\n", x++, y++);
}

---

What the code does is understood, my question is: should I rather send a pointer variable to the function or use a static variable? Is this just a rudimentary example, different methods to accomplish the same task, or something different altogether?

Well, a "static" variable within a function is "a global variable with limited scope".

This means that the variable has a permanent storage, which makes it different from normal local variables, whic only have a storage space when inside that function.

But they are also not global variables in the normal sense, because the variable is only available in the function.

Yes, you can solve the same problem by passing a pointer to a variable into the function.

--
Mats

Thanks Mats, I appreciate the clarification.