---
name: "Identifier"
type: topic
aliases: ["identifier"]
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Identifier
revid: 377927
updated: 2026-01-11T16:19:20Z
---

# Identifier

__NOTOC__
An [Identifier](../topics/Identifier.md) is the name given to a [variable](../topics/Variables.md) that the scripter can choose: It is the name that *identifies* the variable.

### Rules

|  |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| + Regex: `[a-zA-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_]*` | Valid | Invalid |
| - variable1<br>- _my_local_variable<br>- _1variable<br>- _player | - 1variable<br>- _my#localVar<br>- _guy1&2var<br>- player ([player](../commands/player.md)) |  |

Binding rules for identifiers:
- Identifiers may consist of any ASCII text characters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9) and underscores (_).
- Identifiers **must not** start with a number (e.g "9myVariable" is invalid).
- Identifiers of [local variables](../topics/Variables.md) **must** start with an underscore.
- Identifiers are **case-insensitive**.
- Identifiers **cannot be the same as reserved words** (e.g commands and functions).

### Recommendations

It is recommended to write **local variable identifiers** in [camel case](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camel_case) syntax. This makes identifiers more readable:

```sqf
private _myVariableName = 5;
```

> [!IMPORTANT]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_case> is sometimes encountered but is not recommended and should be avoided:
>
> ```sqf
> _my_variable_name = 5;
> ```

It is also recommended to prefix **global variable identifiers** with **your** tag in order to avoid any potential conflict between addons, scripts and missions:
 `// **Tag**_identifier`
 UNIQUETAG_player = [player](../commands/player.md);

### See also

- [Variables](../topics/Variables.md)

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — Identifier](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Identifier) (revision 377927).</sub>