Scope of variables in php

Hi, I'm having a little problem with variable scope in php. If I write code like this : if (some condition) { // myVar pops into existence here... $myVar = 42; ... echo $myVar; } echo $myVar; I get the first echo right, and the second echoes nothing. If I add global $myVar; [Some of the above] both echo instructions work. Is this correct (that is, php vars have block-scope) ? [And if this is correct how could I get wrong something so obvious for such a long time ? Am I getting back to clueless newbie status ? :)] Thanks in advance...