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Java Java Objects (Retired) Meet Objects Privacy and Methods

Gary Byrne
Gary Byrne
16,514 Points
Posted by Gary Byrne
Gary Byrne
16,514 Points

does naming member variable with m at beginning of it really matter?

does naming member variable with m at beginning of it really matter?

1 Answer

Richard Lu
Richard Lu
20,185 Points
Richard Lu
Richard Lu
20,185 Points

Hey Gary,

The 'm' in the beginning of the member variables does not matter, it is used to make the code look more clear. Conventionally member variables are camel cased, for example:

public class AClass {
   // The first word is lowercase, and then everything other word starts with a capital letter
   public String theMemberVariable = "a String";   
}

Additionally, the 'm' prefix is helpful and a good practice because when you're outside an IDE and don't have color coding for member variables, such as when you have your code hosted on GitHub, it's easier for someone else looking at your code to better understand it.

Gary Byrne
Gary Byrne
16,514 Points
Gary Byrne
Gary Byrne
16,514 Points

Thanks for your reply richard. Very helpful.:)