The variables tag has no wiki summary.
0
votes
1answer
94 views
Validation Design
I've been handed a programming quiz to do, and I really don't understand what it means in the validation section of this table. I understand this is a design of each variable in a class but the ...
0
votes
1answer
250 views
When to use (Or not) C# myVariable { set; get; }
I have been trying to wrap my head around the finer points of this today.
Essentially I have fallen in love with this format for booleans:
Class {
public static bool myBool {set; get;}
private ...
1
vote
3answers
197 views
“state” or “status”? When should a variable name contain the word “state”, and when should a variable name instead contain the word “status”? [closed]
Reading code and discussions pertaining to code, I often see the words "state" and "status" used interchangeably, but the following tendencies seem to exist:
When a variable holds a value intended ...
2
votes
2answers
152 views
How to pass parameters to a function in C
Suppose I'm writing a program in C in which several parameters are asked at the beginning of the execution to the user and then remain costant until the end. Now, I need to pass these parameters to ...
2
votes
2answers
114 views
Recommended guidelines for declaring bash/sh variables
I have been programming in BASH for a while now and the scripts that I write are starting to get more complicated.
I realized that I started to bring in some habits from C/C++ and wanted to get ...
-1
votes
5answers
589 views
Changing a variable through a series of statements … What is this technique called?
I'm looking at a function that that has several statements like this:
n = returnDifferentVersionOf(n);
I.e., the value of the same variable n changes progressively several times during the course ...
20
votes
2answers
814 views
When did the term “snake case” come into use?
Many people use the term Snake Case to describe variables or other symbols with_the_form_of_underscores.
When did this term enter into use?
0
votes
1answer
103 views
Translating variables into english [closed]
I have recently came across some code where the variable names are in french, I could not use google translate because only part of the code needs translated, and it would not be that practical to ...
2
votes
0answers
58 views
Multiple meanings for one variable? [duplicate]
I'm replacing a guy who was in his first job as a programmer. You'd think being fresh out of school means the basics are fresh in one's mind, but think again.
The code base is horrible, Ctrl+C / ...
-5
votes
3answers
379 views
breaking a bad habit [closed]
I have a bad habit of not properly naming my variables, I will often use just the letters ABC and add a number to the letter making it a1 or b2 this is making debuging more difficult, when i ask a ...
2
votes
1answer
356 views
What is the difference/ advantage of doing double assignment?
Is there any advantage / is it a bad practice in Java to do the below
x = x = 5
I saw it in one of my peers code and I was surprised why he would do double assignment?
Is this something that is ...
1
vote
4answers
256 views
Is there a concept of a variable with phases of initialization: uninitialized, initializing, immutable?
I was looking at this thread on Stack Overflow and thinking about the functional programming I've been learning, and how immutability is so key there, and it occured to me that maybe some language has ...
9
votes
11answers
2k views
What is the reason for using lowercase for the first word in a local variable (eg, employeeCount, firstName)
I take a good deal of criticism from other programmers due to my use of full proper casing for all my variables. For example, your typical programmer will use employeeCount for a variable name, but I ...
14
votes
1answer
404 views
Dollar Sign Blues: Javascript and PHP
I grew up programming C++ and Java where everything was safe and beautiful. Compilers made sure to keep me in check if I ever strayed. Of course, everyone did a little Perl in college, but I didn't ...
2
votes
1answer
92 views
What are the pros and cons of temporary variables vs multiple returns [duplicate]
Take the following examples:
public static String returnOnce() {
String resultString = null;
if (someCondition) {
resultString = "condition is true";
} else {
resultString ...
1
vote
4answers
425 views
“Is” prefix and “On” suffix as reasonable exceptions to a “non-hungarian” naming standard?
First, I believe I've seen this question discussed here before, but I cannot find it. My apologies if you do find it.
I'm starting a new project, and trying to figure out why IsResolved and/or ...
8
votes
3answers
228 views
Is a single object to be preferred over multiple variables?
It was quite hard to put what I meant into a title, but it's easy to put into code.
C++
Is this
int offset_x = 10;
int offset_y = 40;
...
element.move(offset_x, offset_y);
To be preferred over ...
1
vote
5answers
299 views
Why do some programmers keep values in global variables or member variables but not reused?
I am talking about normal PC applications, memory should be sufficient.
They declare global or member variables.
In each function/method, they use the same global/member variables.
At the beginning ...
15
votes
10answers
3k views
How to write useful Java programs without using mutable variables
I was reading an article about functional programming where the writer states
(take 25 (squares-of (integers)))
Notice that it has no variables. Indeed, it has nothing more than three ...
60
votes
6answers
4k views
Should the variable be named Id or ID?
This is a bit pedantic, but I've seen some people use Id as in:
private int userId;
public int getUserId();
and others use:
private int userID;
public int getUserID();
Is one of these a better ...
7
votes
5answers
250 views
Programming principles with regard to software (computational) efficiency and the use of variables
I'm classically trained psychologist, not a programmer, so sometimes the more advanced aspects of programming escape me, in particular regarding program efficiency and/or certain best practices, in ...
38
votes
7answers
3k views
How to name a variable when the word is both a noun and a verb
I have run into a corner-case problem with the general guidance of:
nouns for variables
verbs for functions
Specifically, I have a case where the word is ambiguous - it can be either a verb or a ...
9
votes
7answers
950 views
Temporary variables vs line length requirements
I've been reading Martin Fowler's Refactoring. It is generally excellent but one of Fowler's recommendations seems to be causing a little trouble.
Fowler recommends that you replace temporary ...
4
votes
4answers
798 views
Stack and heap - dynamic allocation question
Sources usually mention that dynamically created variables are allocated on the heap, while functions' variables on the stack. Also the ones on the stack cease to exist automatically when e.g. the ...
5
votes
1answer
414 views
Do there exist programming languages where a variable can truly know its own name?
In PHP and Python one can iterate over the local variables and, if there is only once choice where the value matches, you could say that you know what the variable's name is, but this does not always ...
2
votes
1answer
251 views
Effective handling of variables in non-object oriented programming
What is the best method to use and share variables between functions in non object-oriented program languages?
Let's say that I use 10 parameters from DB, ID and 9 other values linked to it. I need ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Does it make a difference if I declare variables inside or outside a loop in Java? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Where do you declare variables? The top of a method or when you need them?
Does it make a difference if I declare variables inside or outside a loop in Java?
Is this
...
-3
votes
3answers
291 views
In what practical ways is it good to remember the memory/pointers model? [closed]
A variable refers to a value. A variable is also stored in a memory address. People say that it's good to have this memory model in mind. Is that true? What is some sample code that shows this as ...
5
votes
4answers
412 views
Method flags as arguments or as member variables?
I think the title "Method flags as arguments or as member variables?" may be suboptimal, but as I'm missing any better terminology atm., here goes:
I'm currently trying to get my head around the ...
94
votes
12answers
30k views
Why is Clean Code suggesting avoiding protected variables?
Clean Code suggests avoiding protected variables in the "Vertical Distance" section of the "Formatting" chapter:
Concepts that are closely related should be kept vertically close to each other. ...
4
votes
6answers
340 views
Order of subject and modifiers in variable names
I'm looking for experiences regarding the ordering of the subject and modifiers in variable names.
A simple object Shape would have just a subject for the variable name, such as Area.
A slightly ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
What does the term “Payload” mean in programming
I was going through the source code of an open source framework, where I saw a variable "payload" mentioned many times. Any ideas what "payload" stands for?
9
votes
2answers
276 views
What is a user-friendly solution to editing email templates with replacement variables?
I'm working on a system where we rely a lot of "admins / managers" emailing users from the database. One of the key features is being able to email several people at the same time, with specific ...
0
votes
1answer
138 views
Tool to visualize values from variables during the execution of a program in C
I just need to see what is stored, in realtime, in some particular variables and struct used by an application written in C.
I need something like the stack tracer that comes with the ADT plugins for ...
2
votes
1answer
79 views
Variable names for Contact Information bits [closed]
I am in the middle of refactoring code and would like to get some ideas on variable naming so that my new names clearly represent the data they hold.
I have a class called ContactMethod which makes ...
11
votes
7answers
381 views
Generalise variable usage inside code
I would like to know if it is a good practice to generalize variables (use single variable to store all the values).
Consider simple example
Strings querycre,queryins,queryup,querydel;
querycre ...
-2
votes
1answer
241 views
Naming conventions for variables in Germany [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Do people in non-English-speaking countries code in English?
Do programmers in Germany/France use English names for variables or it's a normal practice to use local ...
1
vote
2answers
989 views
Ongoing confusion about ivars and properties in objective C
After almost 8 months being in ios programming, I am again confused about the right approach. Maybe it is not the language but some OOP principle I am confused about. I don't know..
I was trying C# a ...
5
votes
5answers
432 views
Initialized variables vs named constants
I'm working on a fundamental programming class in college and our textbook is "programming logic and design" by joyce farrell(spelling?)
Anyhow, I'm struggling conceptually when it comes to ...
7
votes
4answers
308 views
Definition of “state”
What is a good way to define "state", as in state variable or state machine, to a new (previously non) programmer? What are some good ways to explain why this concept is useful for writing software? ...
2
votes
7answers
477 views
Should I refactor single letter variables for constructs like pointer/structure names?
And No, i am not referring to single variables in loops or exceptions. Lets say pointer/struct names in large c ,c++ programs . Are there any languages where this type of naming is acceptable or is ...
3
votes
1answer
253 views
Better use on the name of variables
I have a method that looks like this:
Public Function NormalizeStreetAddress(country As Namespace.Country,
streetAddress As Namespace.StreetAddress) _
...
4
votes
5answers
305 views
variable comparison without initialising
I am working with a project in VC++ which involves co-ordinate system having x,y,z axis.
I am trying to check for if a variable(Point with x,y,z values) is assigned on the coordinate system or its a ...
33
votes
15answers
3k views
Is it bad practice to name an unused variable with a single underscore?
Often when the syntax of the language requires me to name a variable that is never used, I'll name it _.
In my mind, this reduces clutter and lets me focus on the meaningful variables in the code. I ...
4
votes
3answers
128 views
Using “prevent execution of method” flags
First of all I want to point out my concern with some pseudocode (I think you'll understand better)
Assume you have a global debug flag, or class variable named "debug",
class a :
var debug = ...
4
votes
3answers
4k views
What is meant by Scope of a variable?
I think of the scope of a variable as -
"The scope of a particular variable is the range within a program's source code in which that variable is recognized by the compiler".
That statement is ...
2
votes
1answer
272 views
Giving variables default values vs. treating accessing an undefined variable as an error
Having messed around with several scripting languages and being a bit of a linguist, there seems to be a way to divide dynamically typed languages into two groups: languages that give variables a ...
4
votes
2answers
196 views
How to deal with variables when extracting methods in to smaller methods?
This is an abstract question to clarify a refactoring concept in the ruby language. Assume in the real world that there would be many more variables and method in the Furniture Class and Refinish ...
9
votes
9answers
1k views
Why do variables need a type?
So we write:
Customer c = new Customer();
Why is the design not such that we write:
c = new Customer();
c.CreditLimit = 1000;
The compiler can work out c points to a Customer and allow ...
23
votes
17answers
3k views
Is it a good practice to name the returned variable “result”? [closed]
Is it a good practice to call the variable a method returns with a variable name result?
For instance:
public Zorglub calculate() {
Zorglub result = [...]
[...]
return result;
}
Or ...
