I've noticed a nomenclature used by many VB developers of preceding variable
names by an underscore e.g. _instance.

Under what context is this usually used/not used.

Thanks.

SparkPlug,

This naming convention is used by some VB programmers when naming the
private variable that "backs" a public property procedure. For example:

   Private _Test1 As Single

    Public Property Test1() As Single
        Get
            Return _Test1
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As Single)
            If Value >= 0 And Value <= 100 Then
                _Test1 = Value
            Else
                Throw New ApplicationException("Invalid Test1 value")
            End If
        End Set
    End Property

Kerry Moorman



Show quoteHide quote

SparkPlug,
As Kerry suggests it common to use _instance for instance fields.

Especially on Properties as you cannot have a Property named Instance & a
field called instance as you can in C#.

As a matter of consistency I generally prefix *all* fields m_ as I see no
value in identifying fields that back properties as opposed to other fields
that may be on a class. I simply see them as fields on a class...

Show quoteHide quote

Just curious, where did the 'm' come from?
Thanks.

SparkPlug
I learned it in C++ it stands for Member.

Some VB6 developers use it to stand for Module...

Show quoteHide quote

SparkPlug,

As any underscore in a program, I hate them. Some cursors hide those
underscore.

I use as I have seen more done for a private field accessed by a property a
single m as prefix.

And in my idea is that the only place that I need them.

Cor

Show quoteHide quote

Thanks to all replies.

It is as I suspected so I was using it in that way but had never actually
been informed for certain.

The naming guidelines do not have any information on how to name private
variables.  However, some people use the '_' or 'm_' prefix to visually mark
them as private variables:

\\\
Private m_UserName As String

Public Property UserName() As String
    Get
        Return m_UserName
    End Get
    Set(ByVal Value As String)
        m_UserName = Value
    End Set
End Property
///

Check if an object is treatable as string/char
select case Type
CLS-Compliance and Array Parameter Rank
Thread issue ??
Data in datagridview from a text file
create registry value - bug in VS?
ADO.NET and Currency Manager/Binding Context (Newbie question)
create registry key
Can you embed a SQL database?
Result of a query into a variable in VB.NET