modulewide

Modulewide refers to bindings, settings, or state that apply to an entire module in a modular programming environment. A module is a defined component with its own namespace and boundaries, and modulewide scope ensures that any binding defined at the module level is accessible by all code within that module. This contrasts with local scope inside functions or blocks, where bindings disappear outside the function.

Because modulewide state is shared across the module, it can simplify patterns such as configuration, caches, or singleton resources, but it may increase coupling and complicate testing if not managed carefully.

Examples across common languages: In Python, variables defined at the top level of a .py file are modulewide within that module and can be accessed by other modules after importing that module. In JavaScript ES modules, top-level declarations are scoped to that module and can be used by other modules only if exported. In languages with explicit module or package scopes, module-level or package-level variables serve a similar role: they provide a central place for data that should be shared across multiple functions in the same module.

Best practices for modulewide design include minimizing mutable state, documenting initialization order, and making modulewide bindings explicit through clear naming and controlled access, such as exposing select bindings via accessor functions. Related concepts include global scope, module scope, and namespace management.