Array Name: Singular or Plural?

[DoubleDee]

When it comes to Arrays in PHP, which style do you use...

1.) Singular

$answer();
$name();

2.) Plural

$answers();
$names();

3.) Append "List"

$answerList();
$nameList();

4.) Append "Array"

$answerArray();
$nameArray();

I sorta like #3 or #4...


Debbie

[wonshikee]

Semantically, appending list or plural makes most sense.

However I personally don't use any plural because I hate having to double check spellings and trying to remember if i made a certain variable/reference plural or singular. Then again I'm not a purist so it's acceptable to me, to someone who is, they might expect it to be semantically correct.

[cheesedude]

When it comes to Arrays in PHP, which style do you use...

4.) Append "Array"

$answerArray();
$nameArray();

That's how I do it. It's unambiguous. You and anyone else who reads the code knows right away that it is an array.

[RvanD85]

I would write it like $aAnswers, where the first a stands for array
My colleagues do the same thing. For us its clear. But don't know if other people will read the a as array.

[Salathe]

I probably use "2.) Plural" most often. So long as the names are clearly describing the contents, it's fine whatever you pick. I've never been a big fan of putting the type of the value into the variable name (whether $peopleArray, or hungarian notation).

[ServerStorm]

Hi,

I use plurals

$names = array();

$colours = array('white' => '#FFFFFF', 'black' => '#000000', 'light-gray' => '#dddddd');

$Regards = ['first_name' => 'Steve', 'last_name' = 'Browning'];

[John_Betong]

I use plurals for arrays because there is more than one and makes the following line more readable.

  foreach( $items as $id => $item ):

     $echo $id . ' ==> ' . $item . '<br />';

  endforeach; 

[ServerStorm]

I use plurals for arrays because there is more than one and makes the following line more readable.

  foreach( $items as $id => $item ):

     $echo $id . ' ==> ' . $item . '<br />';

  endforeach; 

for @John_Betong ; 's answer because this way of doing a foreach loop is much easier to read and understand the array from the value and key.

[cuahangsimsodep]

2.) Plural

$answers();
$names();

I like the style of plural for these types of variables

[Jake Arkinstall]

Yep, plurals here too.

[Cups]

Yes, plurals here as well. For the same "plurals to singular" reasons as stated above. Makes the code read like its a short sentence.

foreach($kittens as $kitten){

   if($kitten->isHungry())
      feed($kitten);

}