Comments on: Bottom #Ten Worst Variable Names

By: Bob Josephson

Bob Josephson — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:51:44 +0000

I’m glad you see the virtue in no longer posting, Ed. I hope you’ll be equally virtuous in the future.

By: administrator

administrator — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:38:43 +0000

Well, Bob, I guess it’s a good thing that you and Edward aren’t co-workers. It seems like you’re fairly easy-going while Edward takes his craft very seriously. Edward is giving you the last word, but I’d advise you not to provoke him.

By: Edward deShelly

Edward deShelly — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:37:16 +0000

I don’t need to prove anything to you, Bob, and I’m not about to start posting proprietary code here. Besides, given your enthusiasm for lousy variable names, I wouldn’t trust your judgment anyway.

Do you have code reviews at your place? I’d bet money you don’t – and it’s lucky for you.

But I’m not going to stoop to name calling. The administrator is right: we don’t want a flame war here. So this is my last port on this topic. Go ahead and respond if you want – you can have the last word.

By: administrator

administrator — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:46:04 +0000

Let’s try to stay constructive, both of you. I don’t want a flame war, but I’d be happy to see an educational exchange of code. Remember Edward, Bob is just trying to earn a living. How bad could he be if he reads this blog? And Bob, how could you possibly know whether Edward is a little brat? He might be 6 foot 2.

By: Bob Josephson

Bob Josephson — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:41:45 +0000

Hey, Ed, didn’t you point out earlier that “well-respected programming textbooks” have bad variable names, too? So don’t go ragging on me. And besides, if you follow all of Steve’s recommendations, what’s left to use for a variable name?

Steve points out shortcomings in variable names, and I won’t dispute that they’re real. But in certain contexts, maybe some of these names are appropriate.

But I’m sure you’re perfect. Why don’t you share some of your code with us here, so we can see if you’re the pot to my kettle. In other words, put up or shut up before trying to kick people out of the profession, you self-righteous little brat.

By: administrator

administrator — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:24:24 +0000

Perhaps I should let Bob speak for himself, but the first step to self-improvement is to understand one’s own shortcomings. Are you sure that your code is any better than his? Perhaps it is just as bad – or as good – or exactly the same. If you want to make the world a better place, try starting with the man in the mirror.

By: Edward deShelly

Edward deShelly — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:41:53 +0000

I realize that Bob Josephson’s enumeration of the bad variable names he uses was done semi-humorously, but maybe he should consider either cleaning up his act, or getting out of the programming business.

By: administrator

administrator — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:36:05 +0000

Agreed. Bad variable names can cause confusion when someone is reading the code. The compiler can handle a variable like “#ten” without “thinking” about the number 10. A human reading it has to struggle to remember that the value of “#ten” is actually 12.

By: Karrox

Karrox — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:44:05 +0000

I feel there is some amount of confusion in this article. specially the reference of teh bottom keywords with real humanly words. but that is what has interested me.

By: administrator

administrator — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:20:29 +0000

Do foo and bar count?