What does `m_` variable prefix mean?

Question

I often see m_ prefix used for variables (m_World,m_Sprites,...) in tutorials, examples and other code mainly related

Answer 1

It is common practice in C++. This is because in C++ you can't have same name for the member function and member variable, and getter functions are often named without "get" prefix.

class Person
{
   public:
      std::string name() const;

   private:
      std::string name; // This would lead to a compilation error.
      std::string m_name; // OK.
};

---

main.cpp:9:19: error: duplicate member 'name'
      std::string name;
                  ^
main.cpp:6:19: note: previous declaration is here
      std::string name() const;
                  ^
1 error generated.

http://coliru.stacked-crooked.com/a/f38e7dbb047687ad

"m_" states for the "member". Prefix "_" is also common.

You shouldn't use it in programming languages that solve this problem by using different conventions/grammar.