How to name variables/constants properly

Is it problematic to name the variables/constants I hand to a function, and the function's inner variables/constants the same?

For instance:

function [f_i_car] = inertial_vehicle(m_car,v_car)

     f_i_car = m_car*diff(v_car);

end

The constant for the vehicle mass is saved in the workspace as m_car and the array, containing the speed data is saved with the variable name v_car. I also want the output to be saved in a workspace variable named like the output variable, f_i_car. So now, I call the function as follows:

 f_i_car = inertial_vehicle(m_car, v_car)

that means, that there exist global (workspace) and local (within the function) variables with the same name.

Can this cause any problems (e.g. shadowing)?

Thanks in advance for your help! -Fabian

Answer 1

[Fabian Gock]

To prevent potential troubles, I now declare the functions and variables as general as possible.

 function [f_i] = inertial_force(m,v)

 f_i=m*diff(v);

 end

And then only give specific names to the workspace variables. I guess, that's the way it should be done.