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John Carmack on mutable variables

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498 points azhenley | 1 comments | 31 Oct 25 02:34 UTC | HN request time: 0.203s | source
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anymouse123456 ◴[31 Oct 25 13:50 UTC] No.45771965[source]▶
I completely agree with the assertion and the benefits that ensue, but my attention is always snagged by the nomenclature.

I know there are alternate names available to us, but even in the context of this very conversation (and headline), the thing is being called a "variable."

What is a "variable" if not something that varies?

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1. jayd16 ◴[31 Oct 25 14:53 UTC] No.45772625[source]▶
A common naming is value. You can call them immutable values and mutable variables.

Another way to look at it is a variables are separate from compile time constants whether you mutate them or not.