Re: [boost] underscores in private class member names (was: [local] this_ or _this?)

Subject: Re: [boost] underscores in private class member names (was: [local] this_ or _this?)
From: Julian Gonggrijp (j.gonggrijp_at_[hidden])
Date: 2011-05-19 18:40:21

Stewart, Robert wrote:

> Distinguishing private data members from local variables and formal parameters is useful.  It creates a distinct "namespace" from local variable and formal parameter names.  How to mark them is purely subjective.  Some use the "m_" prefix, popularized by MFC and MSVC code generators, but I find that to be too much of a wart on the name.  Some use "this->" as a prefix, so their data member names need no special marking.
> 
> I like to distinguish protected and private data members but with a trailing underscore.  I use a trailing underscore because it is less important than the data member's name.  (I also use a preceding underscore for formal parameters to give them another "namespace."  In that case, the underscore can't be on the end, of course.)

Joshua Juran wrote:

> I precede data member names with 'its_' (for nouns) or 'it_' (for boolean properties), e.g. its_window, it_is_selected.  I chose third-person usage (as opposed to, say, "my") to match 'this'.  I like self-documenting English notation.  :-)

Thank you for your opinions on this matter.

-Julian