Naming conventions

[tim]

Hello everyone.

When I was in school and also at varsity I have seen weird and wonderful variable names. Some are cryptic and others are ridiculous. Then there's Microsoft's way. Look at DirectX API and then you will see what I mean.
Cryptic

Code:

int[] a = new int[10];
for (int b = 0; b < 10; b++){
    a[b] = b;
}

Ridiculous

Code:

int[] chicken = new int[10];
for (int egg = 0; egg < 10; egg++){
    chicken[egg] = egg;
}

Microsoft DirectX's API

Code:

int[] another_array_of_integers = new int[10];
for (int a_specific_index = 0; a_specific_index < 10; a_specific_index++){
    another_array_of_integers[a_specific_index] = a_specific_index;
}

I feel that there must be some universal standard out there. Like java beans for example. They are nice. I found this article on naming conventions. Any opinions on this matter?

Happy coding everyone.

[Nicholas Jordan]

I hate any and all naming conventions of any kind, they bring in people who do not respect the Krell Empire for it's true place. Whenever starting a few pages of code I go to hotbits to get variable names. A pair of round braces, followed by some semicolons, is the only naming needed. What the code does is what the code does, the label to identifiy the method call is just an excuse for people to talk about something because they do not code on 200 character lines.

I don't mind the hammer I got in intro, but please let me have this one. You asked a question, I strongly feel this way.

I get boxes hung all the time because of poor code that is Fabulously Styled - Google Search

If needed, I yield when and where the code actually works and method naming is done for maintainablility.

[tim]

Thank you Nicholas Jordan. This is the first time I heard someone say that about naming conventions.

I feel that these names personalize the machine. At my university lecturers are considering graphical programming. So much for old fashion text.

[fishtoprecords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

I feel that there must be some universal standard out there. Like java beans for example.

No, there are no "universal" naming conventions, and there never can be. There are some styles that Sun uses in their API and example code. These are generally accepted and widely used.

There might be a 'universal' convention as soon as there is a universal programming language. Hint: Java isn't it.

The purpose of naming conventions it human communications. Noting more. If you write and use your own code, you can invent what you want.

If you want to be able to have someone else help you, you should use the naming (and all other conventions) of the language. This helps information transfer between humans. If you do it properly, someone can look at your code and know that you use a Connector object and call a send() function.

The more people you have working on a piece of code, the more important conventions are. This includes naming conventions, commenting conventions, testing conventions, etc.

Doing this well is actually hard.

[Nicholas Jordan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

Thank you Nicholas Jordan

Nick

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

This is the first time I heard someone say that about naming conventions.

Most of those people work in projects where such things as relying on an interface, using simplfied naming that conveys what the data collection does is the only thing that will work.

My approach is better suited to a technician with a test meter and some thirty pounds of bench manual close by.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

I feel that these names personalize the machine.

I knew that, I meant no harm. You asked a question, my answer would be better suited to an E.E. at a two year technical institution than front line university environment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

At my university lecturers are considering graphical programming.

<neutral>Obviously, or you would not have asked the question. </neutral>
<hope>Maybe you can get me going on xml</hope>

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

So much for old fashion text.

Well, you have me here. Brain ( as in human brain - normal definition ) is known to work better in abstractions and visual /graphic. I position myself such that I am oblidged to take your offer of investigation seriously.

Define old fashioned.

Code:

while(true)System.out.print(" :p ");//

[tim]

Hello Nicholas Jordan

I've noticed that you add empty comments in your code. Why do you do this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholas Jordan

Code:

while(true)System.out.print(" :p ");//

I like the program output though.

[Nicholas Jordan]

Really, no bull? Because you actually want to hear the answer?

You have to promise me immunity under the General Ratified Ratraps Ratification Rating Redundancy Rattle becuse ~ I can promise you this ~ you will not believe me.

[tim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

I've noticed that you add empty comments in your code. Why do you do this?

I thought you did it for some technical reason. For example, an extra star distinguishes comments from JavaDoc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholas Jordan

spare me oh green guy!

That hurts Nicholas. Goodbye.

[Nicholas Jordan]

I use them because they are the fastest buffer / editor combination I could find, when I am running at my natural data rate I have to make room for the system command stack. It is extremely common for me to have to slow down as I move across the page because I drop things out of the buffer. Once I saw [[[[ in the browser momentarily, it remains for me to find where that came from.

Does it bother you to be Green?

[fishtoprecords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholas Jordan

Does it bother you to be Green?

In our Kermit voice:
Its not easy being green...