Naming conventions in Google's C++ Style Guide.

29 Sep 2023

When it comes to writing clean and maintainable C++ code, following consistent naming conventions is crucial. Google’s C++ Style Guide provides a set of guidelines for naming variables, functions, and other identifiers. By adhering to these conventions, not only can you improve the readability of your code, but you can also ensure better code organization and ease of collaboration with other developers. In this article, we will explore some of the key naming conventions outlined in Google’s C++ Style Guide.

Variable and Function Names

When naming variables and functions, it is important to choose descriptive names that accurately convey their purpose. Here are some of the key guidelines:

Case Sensitivity

Google’s C++ Style Guide stipulates that all identifiers should be in lowercase, with words separated by underscores. This is commonly known as “snake_case.” For example:

int num_items = 10;
std::string user_name = "John Doe";

void print_hello_world() {
    // Function implementation goes here
}

Class and Struct Names

Class and struct names should be written in CamelCase, starting with a capital letter. For example:

class MyClass {
    // Class members and methods go here
};

struct MyStruct {
    // Struct members go here
};

Constant Names

Constants should be named using all uppercase letters, with words separated by underscores. For example:

const int MAX_NUM_ITEMS = 100;
const double PI = 3.14159;

Namespace Names

Namespace names should follow the same conventions as class and struct names. They should be in CamelCase, starting with a capital letter. For example:

namespace MyNamespace {
    // Namespace contents go here
}

Abbreviations and Acronyms

When using abbreviations or acronyms in variable or function names, follow these guidelines:

Abbreviations should generally be avoided, except in cases where they are well-known and widely used (e.g., URL, XML).
When an abbreviation or acronym is used, it should be in uppercase. For example: XMLParser, HTTPRequest.

Conclusion

By adhering to the naming conventions outlined in Google’s C++ Style Guide, you can ensure consistency and readability in your codebase. Using descriptive names, following the recommended case conventions, and handling abbreviations and acronyms properly, you can make your code easier to understand, maintain, and collaborate on with other developers. So, follow these guidelines and enjoy writing clean and professional C++ code!

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