A local variable holds values for a subroutine while the subroutine is active.
For example, in the following function
(written in C), b and c are local variables.
int mysub( int arg )
{
int b, c;
b = arg*2;
c = b + 7;
return c;
}
(Other programming languages have the same idea, implemented with different syntax.)
In a high-level language a local variable is implemented as a location on the run-time stack. Each time a subroutine is activated, new locations for variables are pushed onto the stack. The section of the stack for each activation is called a stack frame or an activation record. A frame pointer holds the address of the stack frame for a subroutine.
When a subroutine returns to its caller the stack frame is popped from the stack. Thus, local variables only exist as memory locations while a subroutine is active. A subroutine is active if it is currently executing, or if a subroutine it has called is active.
The format of a stack frame used by MIPS language processors is complicated. There are many situations that must be handled and many optimizations. It takes a compiler to do it correctly. These notes describe a much simplified stack frame.
The important part is to understand what a local variable is, in general: a location on the run-time stack. This is an important idea in computer science, one you will run into repeatedly as you study advanced topics.
In a high-level language are there variables that are not local?