varName

In computing, a varname is a label used to reference a storage location in memory. More commonly called a variable name or identifier, it identifies data stored in a program and allows subsequent operations or references. Varname conventions vary by language but share common requirements.

Most languages require the first character to be a letter or underscore; subsequent characters may include digits. Names are often case-sensitive. Many languages reserve certain words (keywords) that cannot be used as varnames.

Best practices: choose descriptive names, avoid reserved words, and follow language-specific styles such as snake_case for Python, camelCase for Java and JavaScript, or ALL_CAPS for constants.

Common pitfalls include shadowing a value in an inner scope, accidental collisions, or using overly short or ambiguous names. Names should avoid exposing sensitive information and should remain stable across refactors.

Examples: Python: count = 5; Java: int count = 5; JavaScript: let count = 5; C: int Count = 5.

See also: identifier, naming convention.