Index, Count, Offset, Size
Hacker News
February 18, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
In the article "Index, Count, Offset, Size," the author shares insights into a simple yet effective strategy for reducing bugs related to variable naming and indexing errors in programming. The crux of the issue lies in the way programmers name variables, particularly when dealing with indexes and counts, which often leads to off-by-one errors or other subtle bugs. The author highlights that while strong static typing can help prevent some mistakes, there’s still a gap in addressing indexing-related issues effectively. To tackle this, TigerBeetle has developed a naming convention: consistently using "index" for pointing to specific items and "count" for representing quantities. This approach ensures clarity and reduces the likelihood of errors by making variable purposes explicit.
The article illustrates how this naming strategy works in practice through code examples. By clearly distinguishing between indexes (positions) and counts (numbers), programmers can avoid confusion and ensure that their variables behave as intended. For instance, using "source_index" and "target_index" in decoding functions helps track data movement accurately. The author emphasizes the importance of aligning variable names with their roles—whether they represent positions or quantities—so that the code becomes self-documenting and easier to understand.
This approach also synergizes with other TigerStyle practices, such as big-endian naming (where qualifiers are appended as suffixes) and ensuring dual names have consistent lengths. By following these conventions, programmers can write code that not only reduces errors but is also more maintainable and readable. The article underscores how small changes in naming can lead to significant improvements in code quality, which is particularly valuable in high-stakes environments like financial transactions databases.
Ultimately, the author argues that clear variable names are a powerful tool for preventing bugs and
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/18/2026