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When I taught programming to freshmen, the example I used to use when they called variables "number" or "string" was: "that's like calling your baby 'baby'."
by rbonvall 10y ago
When I taught programming to freshmen, the example I used to use when they called variables "number" or "string" was: "that's like calling your baby 'baby'."
- jstimpfle 10y agoPeople do that and in many situations it's the most suitable choice.
- jstimpfle 10y agoWhy would anyone downvote this? Without any comments? Did you never say or hear "the baby is crying"? I will now end my concern about being downvoted and get a life. The discussion culture in this thread is mad.
- rbonvall 10y agoI didn't downvote, but what I really meant is "giving your baby the name 'Baby'".
- jstimpfle 10y agoVery fair - thanks for the update. Maybe it helps to think not as giving variables fixed names (like Luke or Lisa) but seeing them as data accessed by descriptors that describe their qualities (the ones that matter in the current context). Btw humans also have many names, depending on context. You might have had funny nicknames in your childhood, your friends speak to you by your first name, other might speak to you by your last name, others might call you "darling" etc... likewise it's also not totally uncommon to speak to babies by the handle "Baby", like "how are you doing Baby?".