Should instance / class fields be a prefix in Delphi?

Question

As stated in Uncle Bob's codec, we do not need prefix class members. Although I completely agree with the arguments, speaking specifically about Delphi, how will we distinguish private fields from public properties?

In Java, this is not a problem since there are no properties.

Microsoft also recommends this practice in large bold letters in its Code Rules . They make a distinction using lowercase letters for a private field and capital letters for public ownership.

In addition to this, we do not have syntax highlighting for field members such as other IDEs (including the Free and Open Source IDE)

So, should we prefix all of our fields? Or just those that come across public properties?

Edit:

I know that the coding standard for Delphi is the field prefix with F , but this definitely indicates what was indicated as bad practice in Clean Code. Does this mean that Delphi code cannot be "clean" like code written in other languages?

Answer 1

The Delphi way is to prefix them using F :

 strict private FField: Integer; public property Field: Integer read FField; 

(see Object Pascal Style Guide .)