1.2.1422. Variables With One Letter Names

Variables with one letter name are the shortest name for variables. They also bear very little meaning : what does contain the variable $w ?

Some one-letter variables have meaning : $x and $y for coordinates, $i, $j, $k for blind variables. Others tend to be an easy way to give a name to a variable, without thinking too hard a good name.

<?php

// $a is reported as a one-letter variable
$a = 0;

// $i is considered a false positive.
for($i = 0; $i < 10; ++$i) {
    $a += doSomething($i);
}

?>

See also Using single characters for variable names in loops/exceptions and Single Letter Variable Names Still Considered Harmful.

1.2.1422.1. Suggestions

  • Make the variable more meaningful, with full words

1.2.1422.2. Specs

Short name

Variables/VariableOneLetter

Rulesets

All, Semantics

Exakat since

0.8.4

PHP Version

All

Severity

Minor

Time To Fix

Quick (30 mins)

Precision

Very high

Available in

Entreprise Edition, Exakat Cloud