Why most of android tutorial's variables start with m?

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+3 Q:

Why most of android tutorial's variables start with m?

I know about camel case rules, but I'm confused with this m rule. What does it stand for? I'm a php developer, "we" use first letters of variables as indication of type, like 'b' for boolean, 'i' for integer and so on.

Is 'm' a java thing? Does it stand for mobile? mixed? ;)

+8 A:

A lot of coding guide lines use m for 'members' of a class. So when you're programming you can see the difference between local and member variables.

Kolky 2010-01-19 08:32:51

+3 A:

If it's member variables in classes, the 'm' means 'member'. Many Java programmers do that, although with modern IDEs it's not needed since you have highlighting, mouse over tooltips, etc.

ahans 2010-01-19 08:33:01

I would argue that even with a modern IDE it's nice to prefix members with m or m_ for the purpose of bringing up all member variables for a class in the same place when using code completion.This means that when you're working in a class you can just hit m_ + ctrl space to get a list of all members.

Nailer 2010-01-19 08:51:44

Agreed, I usually also prefix members with 'm' in Java. I added that last sentence to show that this is nothing all Java programmers agree on. Sun's coding style for instance doesn't include the 'm' prefix.

ahans 2010-01-19 09:15:09

Nailer, you could achieve the same by using this. + ctrl space :)

Romain Guy 2010-01-19 17:13:27

+1 A:

I think it is very individual which code conventions is used. I prefer to name my variables with the following prefixes:

m - Method variables
c - Class variables
p - Parameter variables

But I guess that each programmer has his own style :-)

Steffen Jørgensen 2010-01-19 09:43:06

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Why most of android tutorial's variables start with m?

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