Use of static variables and functions in global scope

Question

Is there a use for flagging a variable as static, when it lies in the global scope of a .cpp file, not in a function?

Can you use the static keyword for

Answer 1

Taking as an example -

// At global scope
int globalVar; // Equivalent to static int globalVar;
               // They share the same scope
               // Static variables are guaranteed to be initialized to zero even though
               //    you don't explicitly initialize them.


// At function/local scope

void foo()
{
    static int staticVar ;  // staticVar retains it's value during various function
                            // function calls to foo();                   
}

They both cease to exist only when the program terminates/exits.