Most parameter and local-variable names consist of a lowercase prefix followed by one or more capitalized words. The prefix indicates the general type of the parameter, while the words that follow describe the contents of the parameter. The standard prefixes used in parameter and variable names are defined as follows:
| Prefix | Description |
| b | Boolean (a non-zero value specifies TRUE, zero specifies FALSE) |
| ch | Character (a one-byte value) |
| dw | Long (32-bit) unsigned integer |
| h | Handle |
| l | Long (32-bit) integer |
| lp | Far pointer |
| np | Near pointer |
| pt | x and y coordinates packed into an unsigned 32-bit integer |
| rgb | An RGB color value packed into a 32-bit integer |
| w | Short (16-bit) unsigned integer |
Note:
If no lowercase prefix is given, the parameter is a short integer with a descriptive name.
The following are some examples of parameter and variable names:
| Parameter/Variable | Description |
| bResult | A boolean parameter |
| dwEvent | A long, unsigned integer parameter |
| hWaveOut | A handle to a waveform audio device |
| lParam | A long integer parameter |
| wFlags | A short, unsigned integer parameter |