$u and $v are also standard for coordinates, as of course is $r (in the company of a $theta).

And plenty of other things use single-letter variables by convention. If I were implementing a quadratic equation solver, for example, I would consider it obfuscation to name the coefficients anything other than $a, $b, and $c.

The question should never be "does this variable name meet some arbitrary standard", but rather "will my successor, trying to maintain this code in a few years' time, immediately grasp what this variable is for". If the answer is "yes" (and can be justified!), then any name is potentially appropriate, regardless of length.

In reply to Re^4: my $a outside sort block incompatibility by Porculus
in thread my $a outside sort block incompatibility by Anonymous Monk

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