Re: Improve readability of Perl code. Naming reference variables.

[johngg]

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

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

[hakonhagland]

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.

[nysus]

Camel case makes my skin crawl. Hate it. Give me underscores or give me death.

[johngg]

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.

[nysus]

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.