Pascal Case

What is Pascal Case

Pascal case, or PascalCase, is a variable naming convention in programming in which the first letter of each word is uppercase and the remaining letters are lowercase, with no spaces or other separators between words. For example, MyClass.

Programmers use a case style to ensure code is consistent and readable. Pascal casing is commonly used to name classes in programming languages, like C#, Java, JavaScript, and Python. It may also be the preferred case style for functions, methods, and other elements in various programming languages.

The term Pascal Case may be written as two separate words. When the term is used as a specific reference in programming, it is often expressed as a single word, with each word starting with an uppercase letter, like PascalCase.

Techopedia Explains the Pascal Case Meaning

Pascal case is a variable naming convention used by developers when writing code, meaning the first letter of each word is in uppercase and no spaces between words.

In programming, naming conventions are general rules applied when creating source code, adding clarity and uniformity to scripts, readability for third-party applications, and functionality in certain languages and applications. They range from capitalization and punctuation to adding symbols and identifiers to signify certain functions.

How Pascal Case Works

Pascal case works by providing an organized approach to naming types, classes, and other identifiers in programming languages. Like any case style, developers use a standardized coding style to make the codebase more understandable and easier to maintain.

Pascal Case vs. Camel Case

The Camel case is a naming convention similar to the Pascal case. Where Pascal casing has the first letter of each word in uppercase and no spaces between words, Camel casing follows the same format with one exception – the first letter of the first word is lowercase, and subsequent words are capitalized. For example, myClass.

Both the Pascal case and the Camel case are used for naming variables, functions, classes, and other identifiers in programming. As described in this Microsoft C# guide for identifier naming rules and conventions, it is recommended to use PascalCase for class names and method names and camelCase for method arguments, local variables, and private fields.

It is worth noting that outside of programming, Camel casing describes a more general style of writing where words or phrases are joined using lowercase or uppercase (e.g., iPhone, eBay, PlayStation). As a writing style, it does not need to follow the convention used in programming, where the first word begins with a lowercase letter.

Pascal vs. Snake vs. Kebab vs. Camel Case

When to Use Each Naming Convention

Here is a basic guideline to consider when using each naming convention.

The Bottom Line

In programming, each variable naming convention serves a specific purpose and contributes to overall code readability and maintainability. The choice between each naming convention is typically made based on the conventions of the programming language itself or the preferences of the development team and coding community.

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