0

Edit: The question itself is not about naming variables, but about finding two words that properly differentiate between two meanings.

I am in the process of building a system that stores entities in a database. But I am having a hard time coming up with the proper nouns for two entities.

One entity is uniquely identifiable by a serial number. For example a laptop. The other entity is not uniquely identifiable. For example a mouse or keyboard (I know they usually are identifiably, but that is not required in this system).

How would you name each entity? I was thinking about Item/Miscellaneous Item but that just feels weird and wrong. I have also thought about Product/Item as that differentiates a bit more.

6
  • What is Fx? Fx a laptop and Fx a mouse or keyboard Jul 13, 2020 at 10:04
  • 1
    @marcellothearcane I'm guessing it means "For example". I'm not sure that the question is really on-topic here, since programming variable naming is not limited to English language rules (or even English language words). Jul 13, 2020 at 10:07
  • 1
    I’m voting to close this question because it isn't about English language as defined by the help center, it's about naming programming variables. Jul 13, 2020 at 10:10
  • I know that the question is regarding naming programming variables, but I prefer to name according to the English language, and thus I was looking for an English word. Not a programming variable name. I just added the context for added info.
    – Neophear
    Jul 13, 2020 at 10:15
  • But MiscItem is not standard English. / You have not added reasonable research (synonyms of item / product) and why they don't work. //// You'll probably not get better than 'uniquely identifiable' and 'non-uniquely-identifiable', admittedly unwieldy classifiers. 'Specific' (in the required/related usage, usually of old medicines) and 'generic' are rare as nouns. Jul 13, 2020 at 10:20

1 Answer 1

0

Generic item ge·ner·ic (jə-nĕr′ĭk) adj.

1.a. Relating to or descriptive of an entire group or class: Cancer is a generic term for a group of diseases in which cells proliferate wildly.

b. Lacking specificity; general: made some generic remarks about how to save for retirement.

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/generic

3
  • That is a possibility. Hadn't thought of that. Would prefer a single word if that's possible, but generic is very descriptive.
    – Neophear
    Jul 13, 2020 at 9:57
  • @Neophear generic is a single word. Jul 13, 2020 at 10:09
  • @Greybeard My bad. I thought about is as an adjective. But you are right in that it can be used as a noun.
    – Neophear
    Jul 13, 2020 at 10:17

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.