“ID” or “Id” on User Interface

Question

The QA manager where I work just informed me there is a bug in my desktop app due to the sign-on prompt being \"Operator Id\" when it should be \"Operator ID\". Her argument bei

Answer 1

as a short version of Identifier, I would use Id. Also ID it's freaky when you have functions like

getUserIDByName()

Multiple capitals in domain terms are quite problematic with CamelCase, as they can produce ambiguities and therefore dishomogeneity in your interfaces and namings

Answer 2

ID = Idaho! Id = Freud! Let the OCD begin!

Answer 3

According to Merriam-Webster, the abbreviation is "ID". If it were a correct abbreviation, it would have to be "Id." with the period.

Answer 4

The QA manager's line of reasoning is silly. Lots of English words have multiple meanings. "Lead", "lead", "lead" (metal, be at the front of, or a connector).

I would just try to be consistent with the capitalization used elsewhere in the app.

Answer 5

So, as a technical writer, this is an issue that comes up for me quite regularly when reviewing other people's work, whether it be programmers, BAs or other writers. Typically, id refers to ego as others have said before me and the accepted abbreviation for identification is ID, just because plenty of people don't know or understand the rule doesn't mean that they are correct (sorry to be blunt), mind you the rules for punctuation and spelling to a large degree are almost as changeable as fashion!

However, what no-one seems to have asked is, does your company have a standard? At the end of the day if your company has a style guide and they have covered this topic in that guide, you should follow the guide. If it is not covered, then may I suggest that you raise the issue with the person that maintains the guide and include any stakeholders in the conversation. Consistency is key here. If the company you work for doesn't have a style guide, then perhaps it is time to start one!

Hope this helps...

Answer 6

Personally, I use "Id". The compiler doesn't care but my eyes do. Compare:

GetIDByWhatever  <-- looks terrible

GetIdByWhatever  <-- oh so pretty!

Aesthetics is more important than grammar when it comes to code, always. (Update: 4 years later, I don't stand by this statement anymore)