Use of abbreviations in scripts
J. Landman Gay
jacque at hyperactivesw.com
Sat Oct 14 23:36:05 EDT 2006
Dar Scott wrote:
> I fully recognize that there are different creation styles and what
> works for one might not work for another. I am curious about
> abbreviations, though.
>
> I sometimes take shortcuts in scripts but for the most part, if it is an
> example on this list or a script for someone else or I might look at it
> again, I try to avoid scripts that are hard to read.
>
> I get the impressions that lots of folks use abbreviations.
>
> I didn't realize this at first and in learning to use Revolution I
> ending up abbreviating only two places (I think). I abbreviate 'char'
> and--since I have trouble remembering color properties--I might
> sometimes use a color property that is an abbreviation. (My
> abbreviation of 'char' has nothing to do with C.) Maybe I abbreviate
> other places but don't know it. For me, 'card' and 'graphic' are easier
> to read and type than 'cd' and 'grc'. I saw a 'grc' once in a script
> and didn't know what it was.
>
> I am curious. Is this so the text editor window can be narrower or
> expressions longer? Is this kind of a club recognition signal? Is this
> easier to type for those who use these. I suppose I could get used to
> typing and reading them, so I don't want to make too big of a deal about
> their being harder to read and type. What about scripts delivered to a
> customer?
>
> Have I just indicated that I'm not a true xTalker, uh, card-head or
> whatever one is?
Interesting question. I've used abbreviations for 20 years and I have a
lot of trouble writing out the whole words. To my brain, "cd" reads
naturally. If there's an abbreviation available, I generally use it. I
wonder how much time I've saved by leaving out the "ie" in all my field
references over 20 years.
I think some of it is for space saving, but most of it is for ease of
use; I resent some of the long words that were implemented into the
language, and always look for shorter ways to type them. I hate typing
stuff like "relayerGroupedControls". It just takes too long. I think I'd
make a good unix person if I ever really got around to using that OS;
they name everything with three letters or less. I like that. "Set the
rgc to true." Nice, short, easy.
I'm tempted to say that yes, you can't be a true card-head (love that
term) without typng abbrevs for wds but wht do I kno.
--
Jacqueline Landman Gay | jacque at hyperactivesw.com
HyperActive Software | http://www.hyperactivesw.com
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