Western Governors University (WGU) ICSC2211 D684 Introduction to Computer Science Practice Test

A fundamental rule for variable naming is that it should have an appropriate meaning. This guideline emphasizes the importance of selecting names for variables that reflect their purpose or the kind of data they hold. By choosing descriptive and meaningful names, code becomes more readable and understandable for anyone who looks at it later, including the original developer. This is especially important in larger codebases where clarity is essential for maintenance and collaboration.

Other options like allowing any character, starting with a number, or prohibiting underscores do not align with standard programming practices. Variable names typically allow letters, numbers (but not as the initial character), and certain special characters like underscores, which can enhance readability (e.g., `first_name` versus `firstname`). Therefore, an appropriate meaning is a critical and widely accepted principle for effective variable naming.