We spoke about the issue that it is possible in some cases for a compiler to accept long variable names when these names are defined inside a function, but shorter names must be used outside the function. Why was this the case?

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Actually, this isn't true. All variables in a program (in any language) are treated the same way - their max length is the same, regardless of whether they are located inside or outside of functions.

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External names have always been limited to 5 letters

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External variables are processed using "name mangling", a technique that reduces name sizes.

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Names outside of a function have to be processed by a linker than might not support long variable names.

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The full text of external variable names must be placed directly in the compiler's symbol table, and, as result, the number of characters must be limited.

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We spoke about the issue that it is possible in some cases for a compiler to acc...

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