What are the naming rules for global variables in C language?

The naming rules for global variables in C language include: using prefixes (such as g_, global_) to identify global variables; using meaningful English words or abbreviations to describe variable functions; avoid using C language keywords or variable names that are the same as standard library function names; selecting appropriate prefixes to consider project size and naming habits; unifying naming specifications within the team to avoid naming conflicts.

Naming rules for global variables in C language? This problem seems simple, but it actually has hidden secrets, involving code readability, maintainability, and even program stability. Don’t think that just by name it is done, this is a technical job!

First of all, you have to understand that global variables are like a shared resource that can be accessed by the entire program. This is convenient, but it is also very risky. If you don't use it well, it can easily cause naming conflicts, or make the code difficult to understand, like a stew in a pot. Therefore, naming is not careless.

Usually, we will use some prefix to identify global variables. It's like labeling your variables and telling others: "Hey, this is a global variable!" Commonly used prefixes include g_ , global_ , and even some projects will be given more specific project abbreviations. For example, in an image processing project, I used to have all global variables prefixed with img_ , and you can tell at a glance that they are image-related variables. This is much clearer than count you see without any modifications, especially when the project is huge and there are many variables.

However, prefixes are not omnipotent. When selecting a prefix, consider the size and naming habits of the project. Too long, it will be cumbersome; too short, it will not be clear enough. This requires accumulation of experience and unified standards within the team.

In addition to prefixes, the variable name itself must also follow certain rules. Try to use meaningful English words or abbreviations to accurately describe the function of variables. For example, g_imageWidth is much better than g_iw , and although the latter is shorter, it is far less readable. Remember, the code is written for people to see, and the second is executed for machines.

In addition, avoid using C language keywords as variable names, such as int , for , while etc., which will cause compilation errors. Also, try to avoid using variable names that are the same as standard library function names, which may lead to unexpected conflicts.

After all, there are no absolute standards for naming rules for global variables, only best practices. My advice is:

• Choose the right naming specification and stick to it. It is very important to unify the internal standards of the team, which can avoid many unnecessary troubles.
• Use meaningful names to clearly express the function of variables. It's better to be longer than to be obscure.
• Use prefixes reasonably to distinguish between global and other variables. This improves the readability and maintainability of the code.
• Avoid naming conflicts. This requires careful inspection, or use of some code analysis tools.

Finally, I would like to emphasize that although global variables are convenient, the abuse of global variables is the source of all evil! Minimize the use of global variables, use local variables more often, or consider using some more advanced mechanisms, such as singleton mode, to manage shared resources. This is the key to writing high-quality C code.

For example, take a look at the following two ways of writing:

 <code class="c">// 不好的写法int count; // 全局变量，没有前缀，含义不明确int main() { count = 10; // ... } // 更好的写法int g_globalCount; // 使用前缀g_，清晰地标识为全局变量int main() { g_globalCount = 10; // ... }</code>

Have you seen the difference? Good naming habits can help you avoid many detours and avoid many unnecessary bugs. This is no small matter, especially in large projects, where good naming specifications can greatly improve team collaboration efficiency and code quality. Remember, code is written for people to see, and good naming is the cornerstone of code readability.

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