in reply to Improve readability of Perl code. Naming reference variables.

As someone who prefers camelCase I use a more succinct convention.

my $rsSomeValue = \ do { my $val = 42 };   # scalar ref
my $raCats = [ qw{ Tiddles Desmo Felix } ] # array ref
my $rhAges = { John => 23, Bill => 35 };   # hash ref
my $rcDoIt = sub { return $_[ 0 ] * 3 };   # code ref
my $rxPat = qr{abc};                       # regexp ref
my $roObj = Some::Pkg->new()               # object ref

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If I see something matching m{\$r[sahcxo][A-Z]} I know I'm dealing with a reference.

Cheers,

JohnGG

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Re^2: Improve readability of Perl code. Naming reference variables.
by hakonhagland (Scribe) on Jan 21, 2017 at 08:49 UTC

    Hello johngg.

    Yes, it is shorter, but is it more readable? This also extends to the discussion of whether to use snake_case or camelCase. In my opinion camelCase is more succint (easier to type), whereas snake_case is more readable (but more difficult to type).

    I also once used camelCase, so I can understand your choice. My main objection though is that the prefix syntax (that you propose) is not optional. See also comment to kcott for more information.

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Re^2: Improve readability of Perl code. Naming reference variables.
by nysus (Parson) on Feb 08, 2017 at 23:11 UTC
    Camel case makes my skin crawl. Hate it. Give me underscores or give me death.

    $PM = "Perl Monk's";
    $MCF = "Most Clueless Friar Abbot Bishop Pontiff Deacon Curate";
    $nysus = $PM . ' ' . $MCF;
    Click here if you love Perl Monks

[reply]

      I guess it's all a bit subjective. I don't dislike underscores and can happily use them if mandated but camelCase keeps long descriptive variable names shorter which is why I prefer it.

      Cheers,

      JohnGG

[reply]
        It's totally subjective. Whether warranted or not, camel case reminds me of Microsoft code. Underscores remind me of old school programming. I also think camel case is harder to read. Though camel case does take fewer keystrokes to execute. I'll give you that.

        $PM = "Perl Monk's";
        $MCF = "Most Clueless Friar Abbot Bishop Pontiff Deacon Curate";
        $nysus = $PM . ' ' . $MCF;
        Click here if you love Perl Monks

[reply]

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