1. Best Practices for Variables

2. Introduction
Don’t use implicitly declared variables (VB allows this – C# does not)
Do use naming conventions
Remove unused variables
Use all variables that you declare

3. Naming Conventions
Pascal case
Camel case
Hungarian

4. Variable Names (1)
Variables should “accurately” and “fully” describe the entity
Don’t use obscure abbreviations
1 character variable names are OK for scratch values
i,j,k are common
Put modifier at the end of names (not the beginning)
Total, Sub, Average, Max

5. Variable Names (2) Use opposites precisely Use boolean names
Avoid the use of the word flag
Use boolean names
done / error / found / success
The name should imply true or false

6. Enum Names Use a prefix that is the same as the enum name
I violate this rule

7. Variable Initialization
Declare and initialize variables together
A variable’s declaration and first use should be together (or close)
Use constants where possible
Don’t use literal values

8. Variable Use Use variables for a single purpose
Don’t reuse counters and accumulators
If you do, tell the reader
Minimize scope visibility
Use local variables over global variables where possible
Minimize persistence
Avoid names with hidden meanings