Naming objects

If we are going to refer to objects when we write event handlers, the objects must have names. The development system gives each object a name automatically. Those default names are just the object's class followed by a unique number.

We could use those default names in our event handlers, but programmers generally make up names that give the class and purpose of the object. For example, in the first event handler program, I called the buttons btnStop and btnMessage and the text box txtOut. I could have chosen any names, but I stuck with the convention of using the class prefix "btn" for buttons and "txt" for text boxes. The second part of the name gives an idea of purpose of the object or its function.

Programmers generally follow this sort of convention in making up object names, and you should do the same. Here are some typical class prefixes:

Class Prefix Example

Button btn btnDisplayText

TextBox txt txtUserInput

PictureBox pic picShowPhoto

Label lbl lblAddress

Class	Prefix	Example
Button	btn	btnDisplayText
TextBox	txt	txtUserInput
PictureBox	pic	picShowPhoto
Label	lbl	lblAddress

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