When declaring variables, what should the names be?

Using descriptive names for variables is crucial in programming, particularly in Java, as it enhances code readability and maintenance. Descriptive variable names allow anyone reading the code to quickly understand what the variable represents and what kind of data it holds. For instance, naming a variable "totalSales" immediately conveys its purpose, making it clear that it is intended to store total sales data.

In contrast, using random strings of characters, such as "x" or "abc123", does not provide any meaningful context. Similarly, single-letter variables can be vague, often suitable only for very specific scenarios, such as loop counters, but not ideal for representing data with broader significance. Numeric values alone cannot serve as variable names, as they lack the necessary context that descriptive identifiers provide. This approach ensures that the code is self-documenting and reduces the cognitive load on developers who may work on the code in the future.