Variable Names

C Variable Names

All C variables must be identified with unique names.

These unique names are called identifiers.

Identifiers can be short names (like x and y) or more descriptive names (age, sum, totalVolume).

Note: It is recommended to use descriptive names in order to create understandable and maintainable code:

Example

  // Good variable name
int minutesPerHour = 60;

// OK, but not so easy to
  understand what m actually is
int
  m = 60;

The general rules for naming variables are:

• Names can contain letters, digits and underscores
• Names must begin with a letter or an underscore (_)
• Names are case-sensitive (myVar and myvar are different variables)
• Names cannot contain whitespaces or special characters like !, #, %, etc.
• Reserved words (such as int) cannot be used as names

Note: Valid and Invalid Names Here are some examples to help you remember the rules: Valid: age, _count, totalSum Invalid: 1age (starts with a number), my-age (contains -), int (reserved word) Naming style: Many C programmers use camelCase (like totalScore) or underscores (like total_score). Choose one style and use it consistently.