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I need to express this phrase as a short compound to be used as programming variable name (this phrase is in the context of a software user interface):

the block showing current chatters

I have the following options:

  1. Current Chatter Block

  2. Current Chatters' Block

Which option would carry better sense? Option 1 is shorter but it doesn't seem to carry the correct meaning as the block contains a list of multiple chatter names, not just only 1 chatter name.

However, the second option when written as variable name, it would be: Current_Chatters_Block, this comes without the apostrophe, does it look ok?

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Variable names are specifically out of scope in ELU. I suggest you remove the final paragraph, and move the "Which option" question to the end. – Andrew Leach Sep 4 '12 at 9:29
i wanted to ask whether the second option written without the apostrophe looks ok in normal sense – Paul Dinh Sep 4 '12 at 9:31
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@Paul: Define "normal sense." BTW, context is everything; I don't think a missing apostrophe is going to throw anyone – not in a variable name, especially in this SMS-driven society. – J.R. Sep 4 '12 at 9:56

closed as off topic by J.R., Robusto, tchrist, Mr. Shiny and New 安宇, FumbleFingers Sep 4 '12 at 13:45

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1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote accepted

You can choose whichever, there are no hard and fast rules in this situation. I would choose the second option, "Current Chatters' Block"

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