Appendix G. Naming Conventions

The logic of using a naming convention is about as easy to grasp as the logic of standardizing the look of our alphabet or language. Both structures are intended to make communication easier. And although they provide standards, they also allow plenty of opportunities for customization. Adopting a naming convention sets the framework for building strong code that can be interpreted by the original developer and other developers, while at the same time be implemented by application. Additionally, using a naming convention will help prevent conflicts due to multiple uses of the same name, because a name will only be allowed to have one meaning within an application.

This appendix includes some guidance for naming objects and provides tables of the most commonly accepted names used in VBA. People who choose to create their own naming conventions still benefit from being aware of this material. We all need to read and interpret code used in Access and VBA help files, books, sample applications, and when collaborating with others.