ELisp: What is DOLLAR Sign $var and AT Sign @var, in Variable Names

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

ELisp: Symbol names allows both “dollar sign” character and “at sign ” character.

They do not have special meaning.

Dollar Sign in Beginning of Variable Name

you might see some emacs lisp code with variable name starting with dollar sign, example: $p1.

that is my naming convention, to distinguish local variable names from builtin-symbols.

emacs lisp dollar sign name 2022-09-15
emacs lisp dollar sign name 2022-09-15

At Sign @ in Beginning of Variable Name

you might see some emacs lisp code with variable name starting with at sign: @begin @end

that is my own naming convention, to distinguish function parameter names from other variable.

emacs lisp at sign name 2022-09-15
emacs lisp at sign name 2022-09-15