Questions You Could Ask Yourself When Naming a Variable

When naming a variable, you can ask yourself the following questions to ensure the name is meaningful and clear:

1. 🤔 What does the variable represent? Choose a name that accurately reflects the purpose or meaning of the variable.

   • Bad example: x (doesn’t provide any information about what the variable represents)
   • Good example: customerName (clearly indicates that the variable stores the name of a customer)

2. 💡 What type of data does the variable hold? Include the data type or use a descriptive term if it helps to clarify the purpose of the variable.

   • Bad example: value (ambiguous and doesn’t specify the type of value)
   • Good example: orderTotalAmount (indicates that the variable stores the total amount of an order)

3. 🎯 Is there a more precise or specific term available? Use specific terms when they accurately describe the purpose or role of the variable.

   • Bad example: variable1 (vague and doesn’t convey any meaning)
   • Good example: maxTemperature (clearly indicates that the variable represents the maximum temperature)

4. 🌐 Does the name provide enough context? Ensure that the name provides sufficient context within the scope of its usage.

   • Bad example: state (ambiguous when used alone without additional context)
   • Good example: addressState (specifies that the variable represents the state within an address)

5. 📝 Is the name concise and readable? Choose a name that is not excessively long but still conveys the intended meaning.

   • Bad example: thisVariableStoresTheCurrentYear (too long and cumbersome)
   • Good example: currentYear (clear and concise)