AXprefix

AXprefix is a naming convention used in data visualization and analytics to indicate axis-related identifiers. The convention uses the literal prefix “AXprefix” attached to variable or field names that describe axis dimensions or coordinates, such as x, y, z, or projection axes. It is intended to improve readability, organization, and searchability in datasets that mix scalar measurements with geometric or spatial coordinates. AXprefix is not tied to a single software package; rather, it has appeared in multiple open-source projects and documentation as a lightweight standard for axis-related naming.

Origin and purpose

AXprefix originated in communities around cross-domain analytics tooling, where teams sought a consistent way to mark axis variables across modules and datasets. The goal was to reduce ambiguity when axis meanings change between contexts or when multiple coordinate systems are involved. By adopting a common prefix, developers and data scientists can more easily identify and query axis-related fields.

Usage and examples

Typical usage involves prepending AXprefix to axis-related identifiers. Examples include AXprefix_x, AXprefix_y, AXprefix_z, AXprefix_angle, and AXprefix_length. In data formats such as JSON or YAML, axis values may appear as: { "AXprefix_x": 3.14, "AXprefix_y": -2.71 }. Guidelines emphasize consistent separators (usually underscores) and consistent casing to align with surrounding identifiers. Some teams may adapt the prefix to their branding (e.g., AXPprefix) or combine it with a namespace to avoid clashes in large projects.

Relation to other standards

AXprefix is a lightweight, project-specific convention rather than a universal standard. It complements broader naming conventions (camelCase, snake_case) and naming in data models, GIS, or visualization libraries, with focus specifically on axis-related identifiers.

See also

Naming conventions; Axis (data visualization); Coordinate systems; Data modeling practices.