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What does "underscore" mean in programming?

underscore is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.

Definition

The _ character. Used as a word separator in snake_case naming. A leading underscore (_name) conventionally signals a private or internal identifier. A standalone _ is often used as a throwaway variable.

Example

"const [value, _setValue] = useState(0); // _ marks the setter as unused"

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