Java Identifiers

Java Identifiers

  • A name in java program is called identifier, which can be used for identification purpose.
  • It can be method name, variable name, class name or label name.

Example

Rules for defining java identifiers:-

  • The only allow characters in java is identifer are a to z , A to Z, 0 to 9 , _ and $ . By mistake if you are using any other character you will get compile time error.
    example: int total_number = 7;
  • Identifiers can’t start with digits.
    example: int 123total = 25;
    example: int total123 = 25;
  • Java identifier are case sensitive offcourse java language itself is treated as case sensitive programming language.

Example

public class Test {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
   int number = 10;
   int Number = 20;
   int NUMBER = 30;
   int NUMber = 40;
  }
}

Note:- All variables are different. We can differentiate with case.

  • There is no length limit for java identifer but it is not recommended to take too lengthy identifer.
    example: int abcdefghijklmnopqrst = 7;
  • We can’t use reserved words or keyword as identifer.
    example: int else = 25;
  • All predefined java class name and interface name we can use as identifier.

Example

public class Test {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
   int String = 888;
   System.out.println(String);
  }
}

Example

public class Test {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
   int Runnable = 888;
   System.out.println(Runnable);
  }
}

Note:- Even it is valid but it not good a good programming practice because it reduces readability and creates confusion.