Variable or scalar is a storage location paired with an associated symbolic name (an identifier), which contains some known or unknown quantity or information referred to as a value.
0
votes
2answers
133 views
Is this a constant or a variable?
I was wondering if a value that is defined by the user at the start of a program, and not modified by the program, is considered a constant or a variable. I know that a constant is a word/letter that ...
86
votes
14answers
14k views
Should we eliminate local variables if we can?
For example, to keep a CPU on in Android, I can use code like this:
PowerManager powerManager = (PowerManager)getSystemService(POWER_SERVICE);
WakeLock wakeLock = powerManager.newWakeLock(...
0
votes
2answers
90 views
Using “intermediate variables” to abbreviate long dict entries
Sometimes I come across the situation that I have some data in a nested dict with rather long key-names (sometimes unavoidable for one reason or another).
some_dict = {'not_too_short_key_one': {'...
0
votes
2answers
91 views
When do we say that a variable is undefined?
In C, When do we say that a variable is undefined ? When it is not present in the complete code or in a function scope ?
1
vote
1answer
157 views
Is using uncommon words as descriptive variable names acceptable?
I am implementing a finite state machine in Python 2.7, and I am considering using an English word that I don't commonly see in code: "stimulus". I have a transition function that accepts some kind of ...
-2
votes
1answer
120 views
How does accessing class level variables in java work?
I'm doing my third online course in learning java because I couldn't get over how to even start a project from scratch. There was a lesson in this new course that made me ask this question of the code ...
5
votes
1answer
383 views
How is it possible to program using only immutable / “read-only” variables?
I believe there are languages where all names with associated values cannot have their associated values changed. An example would be a language where all names behave like a does in the following C ...
0
votes
1answer
114 views
Is declaring 'const' variable a good programming practice? [duplicate]
Is it a good practice to declare all the variables in my program as a const variable?
eg:-
private int myAge = 20;
private const int Age = 20;
Now, from the above example, which one is a ...
-4
votes
1answer
149 views
Global variable or parameter?
Is it correct that homeitem should be declared inside the OnLoad method and overgiven to all the render methods instead of just declaring it as a global variable and accessing it by all the render ...
1
vote
2answers
120 views
How to name variables that clash with functions?
As an example, in Python I have a lowest_prime_factor function which does it exactly what it says it does. Then, in another function, I need to call this function and store it. In another language ...
-1
votes
2answers
91 views
Variable can't hold str() method information with “pure” word in brackets… why?
I've recently bumped into string methods and mainly
str()
method caught my interest because, it makes string out of every type of data?
integers, booleans and so on. And if you want, they can be ...
-1
votes
2answers
349 views
C++ Which of the following is a better singleton pattern approach?
I'm now stuck in the server I am programming, simply because I do not seem to find a good and realiable way to handle my "single object" classes, I've attempted the Singleton pattern but it is just ...
5
votes
2answers
234 views
Is there a convention for returning multiple items?
In Python specifically (I don't know if this generalizes) is there a "best" way to return multiple items from a function?
def func1():
return a,b #equivalent to (a,b)
def func2():
return[a,...
0
votes
1answer
70 views
In scala is it acceptable to have id variables written as `_id` instead of the regular camel case notation?
In Scala is it acceptable to have id variables written as _id instead of the regular camel case notation?
In the code most variables respect the camel case notation. However for variables referring ...
1
vote
3answers
176 views
Including the type name in a variable name
Abstract: Is it acceptable to include the type name in the variable name?
My scenario:
I am working with C# MVVM, and I have a lot of ICommand properties in my ViewModel, named various things like ...
0
votes
6answers
302 views
Dealing with a variable that is a number, but has greater meaning? [closed]
I've been working on some embedded code that handles a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio. BLE has 40 channels, numbered 0 through 39. One function for the radio driver takes in the channel and sets ...
-1
votes
2answers
181 views
One Word for Functions, Variables, and Objects
Is there a single word that can describe JavaScript functions, variables, and objects? I was thinking "entities", but that word is usually used to describe the mapping between objects and a database. ...
0
votes
1answer
75 views
Why adding positive values in Java or C# sometimes result in a negative value?
I was playing around with variables in Java.
public class Hello {
public static void main(String[] args) {
byte byteV = 127;
short shortV = Short.MAX_VALUE;
int intV = ...
0
votes
3answers
209 views
A few questions about initializing variables
I'm in an introductory programming class and we're only in lesson two, so try to keep terminology simple, ha.
I'm a bit confused about when you need to and when you don't need to initialize a ...
1
vote
1answer
296 views
Why Variables in Python Are Different from Other Programming Languages? [closed]
According to my understanding, a variable in Python is:
A name that refers to a value stored in the computer memory, and it's like a label on a box.
but in other programming languages it is:
A ...
5
votes
1answer
109 views
What is the impact of re-defining a dynamic type variable (such as in PHP)?
PHP variables are dynamic in type so I can do:
$x = 'hello world!';
$x = strlen($x);
Sometimes this is trivial and I could save many lines of code, but it reduces clarity. I'm using a text ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
How to compute whether it is guaranteed the variable is set?
Assuming declarations are expressions consider such code:
if ((var x = foo()) and (var y = x)) or (var z = bar()) then
println(z);
end
The reference to x is OK, because at this point x has to be ...
47
votes
4answers
9k views
Why do so few languages with a variable-type 'operator' exist?
I mean it in this way:
<?php
$number1 = 5; // (Type 'Int')
$operator1 = +; // (Type non-existent 'Operator')
$number2 = 5; // (Type 'Int')
$operator2 = *; // (Type non-existent ...
-4
votes
2answers
168 views
How to find all occurrences of a variable within a source code?
The title is pretty self-explanatory. I have a minified JavaScript code (100k+ lines) and would like to find all occurrences of a particular variable so I could rename it to better understand code. Is ...
1
vote
5answers
656 views
Why does Kotlin require type after variable, rather than before?
C, C++, C#, Java, as well as many other statically typed languages have the type before variable like (int a =5, auto c = 4, etc.).
Non-statically typed languages (such as Javascript, basic) use var (...
1
vote
1answer
206 views
Best practices for scientific variable naming?
What are some of the conventions you use when naming variables in mathematical/scientific code? I'm looking to establish a set of conventions for an upcoming project. So here's an example formula to ...
0
votes
1answer
154 views
Is there ever a reason to use variable variables in PHP rather than an array? [closed]
Is there any situation where an array is not suitable but a variable variable is? I cannot think of one or find one on any Stack Programmer Q&A.
<?php
$foo = array();
for($i = 0;$i < 3; $i+...
2
votes
2answers
224 views
Avoid This Pointer
PROBLEM: this points to different instances at different stages of execution (as it should). But it is not always obvious which instance is that. On the other hand we could minimize the use of this, ...
1
vote
2answers
143 views
What is the use case for shadowing variables?
One of the things the coffeescript programming language is criticized for is its treatment of variable declarations and scope (example).
The answers to this question (and the blog I linked to above) ...
-3
votes
3answers
128 views
Best way to handle variables used in a for loop? [duplicate]
From previous experience, I had always thought that, if you are going to use variables inside of a for loop, it was much better to declare them outside of the loop vs. inside the loop itself. I ...
-4
votes
2answers
79 views
Rationale for modern languages implement changeable global variables [closed]
Common sense seems to be that usage of global variables is bad, in particular if they are used as real variables (i.e. changing state; e.g. Why is Global State so Evil?).
How does it come then, that ...
2
votes
1answer
616 views
What is internal state and is there a difference between state and internal state
Ok, this question has been asked before, but it's still not clear to me. What exactly is internal state?
So far state is clear to me:
Functions contain behavior, variables have state, values don't. ...
37
votes
9answers
3k views
Using compound statements (“{” … “}” blocks) to enforce variable locality [duplicate]
Introduction
Many "C-like" programming languages use compound statements (code blocks specified with "{" and "}") to define a variables scope.
Here is a simple example.
for (int i = 0; i < 100; +...
1
vote
2answers
854 views
Should I declare variables at the top of the function for reasons other than the scope rules?
In JavaScript, one should declare all variables at the beginning of the function to mitigate the risk of mistakes related to the fact that the scope of variables is a function. The following code ...
-3
votes
1answer
279 views
grouping variables into a system in C? [closed]
Within C, say I have a number of variables, floats, integers etc, is there a way that I can group them all into one object, lets call it a system, and then create N copies of such an object.
Further, ...
2
votes
1answer
336 views
Patterns for sharing context variables between functions
I am looking for ways of passing around a set of contextual variables that are required by functions.
As a Python programmer, right now I can see three ways of solving the problem: passing them ...
4
votes
5answers
405 views
What was the reason for the creation of boolean variables?
I found out that some languages like C don't have support for boolean variables and programmers use integers with values of 0 and 1 instead. Is there any specific reason why some languages moved away ...
0
votes
2answers
134 views
The correct way of declaring & instantiating variables ( Javascript ) [duplicate]
I have seen other peoples code and each person has a different way of declaring variables. And I have been told by quite a few people that declaring variables in the Global Scope is wrong.
My ...
0
votes
1answer
68 views
Dealing with data containing integer overflow, rollover
I am writing a small matlab function to analyze data from a laser probe.
The data to be analyzed is basically:
x-data: Position.
y-data: Laser (light) intensity.
...
1
vote
1answer
109 views
Best practices for tracking multiple pieces of data in a program
I have a project in C (don't ask why but it needs to be in C), where I need to track multiple pieces of data and commands for different modules. Some actions that the program will take depend on the ...
2
votes
4answers
403 views
Should I check parameter before using it in methods? [duplicate]
I'm going to build some public PHP packages, Following standards is a priority for me.
PHP lets users call methods even if they don't pass required parameters to it.
My question. Should I check ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Is the use of one-letter variables encouraged? [closed]
Is the use of one-letter variables encouraged in Java? In code snippets or tutorials, you often see them. I cannot imagine using them is encouraged because it makes the code relatively harder to read ...
-2
votes
1answer
185 views
How to name variables without plural in a for-each loop? [closed]
How do you name loop variables when the list item is named after something without a plural? For instance (in python): [x for x in sheep]. x is not a great name, but sheep have/has no plural that ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
In C++, should I ever declare a local variable in the corresponding header?
So for example, I create a class with two functions:
foo.h
class foo
{
public:
foo();
void bar();
void ey();
bool m_memberBool;
bool localBool; // ??? Should I put this here?
};
...
2
votes
1answer
244 views
Python beginner question with Assigning Variables
Coming from C# and now getting my hands dirty with Python.
From what I understand, Python is strongly typed:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/11328920/is-python-strongly-typed
As stated in the ...
-1
votes
1answer
114 views
How to make variables inherent to an object or system [duplicate]
How can one make variables inherent to an object or system?
For example, when creating a web browser, each option that is created for the user to have control over (i.e. how a window opens, if ...
2
votes
0answers
1k views
Var assignment in sequence diagram
I am trying to represent the function below (PHP function/Symfony2) as a sequence diagram using UML 2.0 and Visual Paradigm:
private function getVeevaHcpSync($request, $action, $case)
{
...
1
vote
5answers
919 views
Are there too many parameters in this constructor? [duplicate]
Check this out:
public function __construct(
\Magento\Framework\Model\Context $context,
\Magento\Framework\View\DesignInterface $design,
\Magento\Framework\Registry $registry,
...
0
votes
5answers
911 views
Is it bad form to use the same variable name in different scopes?
Say you have some basic code where similar operations will take place in nearby lexical scopes. Take for example some simple pseudo code:
variable = "foo"
# Do something with variable
if (True) {
...
2
votes
3answers
6k views
What is the difference between a variable and a parameter? [closed]
Its a conceptual question. But I would like to use the right term at the right place. That is why I would like to read some other views on this.
