Question

Which of the following describes good practice when naming variables in code?

1) Using descriptive names that reflect the purpose of the variable
2) Using single letter names to save space
3) Using random names to confuse other programmers
4) Using reserved keywords as variable names

Answer 1

The best practice is to use descriptive names for variables as it enhances the readability and maintainability of the code. Single-letter names should be avoided unless in specific contexts, and using reserved keywords is incorrect and can lead to errors.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best practice for naming variables in code is option 1: Using descriptive names that reflect the purpose of the variable. Descriptive names make it easier for others (and yourself) to understand what the code does. For example, using a variable name like totalDistanceTravelled is more informative than a nondescript name like d.It's not good practice to use single-letter names (option 2) because they can be unclear, except in specific contexts like loop indices or mathematical formulas where such conventions are well understood. Using random names to confuse other programmers (option 3) obviously goes against the principles of code readability and maintainability. Finally, option 4, using reserved keywords as variable names, is not just bad practice but can lead to syntax errors, as reserved keywords have special meaning in programming languages and cannot be used as variable names.