[R] underscores

Sarah Goslee
Tue, 13 Jun 2006 19:03:25 -0000

Since several people have commented to me, on and off list:

On 6/13/06, Sarah Goslee <sarah.goslee@gmail.com>
wrote:
> >
> > PS Using underscores in variable names is not encouraged, and
> > can cause you problems in certain contexts.


I realize that it is now legal in R to use underscores, since they no longer
represent the same thing as "->". But I don't consider
"legal" the same as
"encouraged", do you?


Probably the context most important is if you need to be able to share code
with S-Plus. I work exclusively in R, but have academic colleagues who use
S-Plus. As far as I know, S-Plus still restricts the use of "_", and
for me,
that possibility is enough to justify suggesting that people not use
"_". I
personally find that syntax hard to read, as well.

I don't consider it all that important an issue, especially as I know that
many people disagree with me, and never use S-Plus, and don't care about
appearance as long as it works. I would never have brought it up as an issue
on its own, but did feel inclined to tack it on as a postscript to a
question I did answer appropriately.

I shan't mention it again!

Sarah

--
Sarah Goslee

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