How to name a variable: numItems or itemCount?

Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP

How to name a variable: numItems or itemCount?

What is the right way to name a variable

int numItems;

vs.

int itemCount;

or constant:

public static final int MAX_NUM_ITEMS = 64;

vs.

public static final int MAX_ITEM_COUNT = 64;

Any time you're about to ask a question about the "right" way to do something, stop and consider whether it's merely a subjective, aesthetic preference. This certainly qualifies. It absolutely doesn't matter. Pick one that you like and stick with it.
– Cody Gray♦
Jun 15 '11 at 14:05

@Cody Gray, I agree with that general rule -- but there is a difference in this case between "num" and "count". See below.
– Andy Thomas
Jun 15 '11 at 14:19

@Andy: I mean, sure. I even agree with you and Steve. But come on, that hardly justifies this question...
– Cody Gray♦
Jun 15 '11 at 14:28

Sorry to come here late but this question should be closed. It is opinion-based
– Carlos Muñoz
Feb 18 '15 at 16:19

Possible duplicate of Naming conventions for "number of foos" variables
– Oleg Estekhin
2 days ago

4 Answers
4

In "Code Complete," Steve McConnell notes that "Number" is ambiguous. It could be a count, or an index, or some other number.

"But, because using Number so often
creates confusion, it's probably best
to sidestep the whole issue by using
Count to refer to a total number of sales and Index to refer to a
specific sale."

item_count or itemCount (there's a religious war brewing there, though)

For Java I would use itemCount and MAX_ITEM_COUNT. For Ruby, item_count and MAX_ITEM_COUNT. I tend not to use names that can be interpreted wrongly (numItems may be a shortcut for numerate_items or number_of_items), hence my choice. Whatever you decide, use it constantly.

itemCount

MAX_ITEM_COUNT

item_count

MAX_ITEM_COUNT

numItems

numerate_items

number_of_items

I've never seen numerate used in this context. Maybe it's just me...
– Zero3
Dec 2 '16 at 13:47

numerate

It's a matter of personal preference, just make sure you are consistent throughout your code. If you're working with others check what's been done in existing code.

For the constant I would find MAX_ITEMS more logical than MAX_NUM_ITEMS or similar, it just sounds better to me.

MAX_ITEMS

MAX_NUM_ITEMS

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