PHP The global Keyword The global keyword is used to access a global variable from within a function. To do this, use the global keyword before the variables (inside the function): <!DOCTYPE html> <html> <body> <?php $x = 5; $y = 10; function myTest() { global $x, $y; $y = $x + $y; } myTest(); // run function echo $y; // output the new value for variable $y ?> </body> </html> *************** the same result as below *************** <!DOCTYPE html> <html> <body> <?php $x = 5; $y = 10; function myTest() { $GLOBALS['y'] = $GLOBALS['x'] + $GLOBALS['y']; } myTest(); echo $y; ?> </body> </html> ============= output is 15