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Java Java Basics Getting Started with Java Strings, Variables, and Formatting

why does the f in first not have to be capitalized?

question

Name.java
// I have setup a java.io.Console object for you named console
String firstName="Devin Ray";

1 Answer

kyle kitlinski
kyle kitlinski
5,619 Points

In Java, the standard formatting for variables is camelCase, meaning you start with a lower case letter, then all words after that are capitalized to break it up.

I'm not a java person but I believe proper capitalization is reserved for class names.

why do we do this? We do it so that when you are reading someone else's code, and you see the firstName referenced somewhere, you know its a variable.

However these are just guidelines and best practices, the code should still run if you capitalize however you like, but your co-workers may give you a hard time in the future.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camel_case