1.2.216. Confusing Names

The following variables’s name are very close and may lead to confusion.

Variables are 3 letters long (at least). Variables names build with an extra s are omitted. Variables may be scattered across the code, or close to each other.

Variables which differ only by case, or by punctuation or by numbers are reported here.

<?php

    // Variable names with one letter difference
    $fWScale = 1;
    $fHScale = 1;
    $fScale = 2;

    $oFrame = 3;
    $iFrame = new Foo();

    $v2_norm = array();
    $v1_norm = 'string';

    $exept11 = 1;
    $exept10 = 2;
    $exept8 = 3;

    // Variables that differ by punctation
    $locale = 'fr';
    $_locate = 'en';

    // Variables that differ by numbers
    $x11 = 'a';
    $x12 = 'b';

    // Variables that differ by numbers
    $songMP3 = 'a';
    $Songmp3 = 'b';

    // This even looks like a typo
    $privileges  = 1;
    $privilieges = true;

    // This is not reported : Adding extra s is tolerated.
    $rows[] = $row;

?>

See also How to pick bad function and variable names.

1.2.216.1. Suggestions

• Rename the variables

1.2.216.2. Specs

Short name	Variables/CloseNaming
Rulesets	All, Changed Behavior
Exakat since	0.8.4
PHP Version	All
Severity	Minor
Time To Fix	Slow (1 hour)
Precision	Very high
Features	variable, semantics
Available in	Entreprise Edition, Exakat Cloud