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The names of variables in the Java language
are referred to as
identifiers.
Choosing a variable
name:
The best naming convention is to
choose a variable name that will tell the reader of the
program what the variable represents. Variable names that describe the data stored at that
particular memory location are called
mnemonic variables.
For example, if you wish to store a grade on a test, a
variable name such as grade
would be more easily remembered than a variable name such as
var2.
Rules for naming
variables:
 All
variable names must begin with a letter of the alphabet, an
underscore, or ( _ ), or a dollar sign ($). The
convention is to always use a letter of the alphabet.
The dollar sign and the underscore are discouraged.
After
the first initial letter, variable names may also contain
letters and the digits 0 to 9. No spaces or special
characters are allowed.
The
name can be of any length, but don't get carried away.
Remember that you will have to type this name.
Uppercase
characters are distinct from lowercase characters. Using ALL
uppercase letters are primarily used to identify constant
variables. Remember that variable names are
case-sensitive.
You
cannot use a java keyword (reserved word) for a variable name.
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Tip: Some programmers use underscore in
variable names to separate parts of the name, such as
shipping_weight.
Others prefer a "capital style" notation, such as
shippingWeight
to separate parts of the name. NEVER use
uppercase for every letter in a variable name, because
uppercase names are reserved for final (constant) variables. |
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Samples of acceptable variable names:
YES |
Samples of unacceptable variable names:
NO |
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Grade |
Grade(Test) |
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GradeOnTest |
GradeTest#1 |
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Grade_On_Test |
3rd_Test_Grade |
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GradeTest |
Grade Test
(has a
space) |
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