Can someone give me a simple but clear understanding of the difference between LOCAL and PRIVATE? I've read the docs but they leave me unsatisfied. I understand that LOCAL actually creates a variable whereas PRIVATE does not. So is PRIVATE just a means to convert a public variable into a local one?

Also LPARAMETERS vs PARAMETERS? One is LOCAL and the other is PRIVATE? I don't see the difference. Also, aren't variables created as LOCAL or PRIVATE by default without specifying? If so, what's the point?

Thanks for any insights in this.

- Don