[JambalayaJimbo]

But we know that variable names do not matter whatsoever to a compiler. Now I do agree with you intuitively that LLMs perform better on meaningful variable names, without looking at hard data - but I don't think it has anything to do with "brainpower" - I just think your input data is more likely to resemble training data with meaningful variable names.

[socalgal2]

I think you're just arguing semantics. It seems intuitively obvious that if I have some simple physics code

    newPosition = currentPos + velocity * deltaTime

and change it to

    addressInChina = weightByGold + numberOfDogsOwned * birdPopulationInFrance

that both a human and likely an LLM will struggle to understand the code and do the the right thing. The thing we're discussion is does the LLM struggle. No one cares if that's not literally "brain" power. All they care about is does the LLM do a better, worse, or the same

> I just think your input data is more likely to resemble training data with meaningful variable names.

Based on giving job interviews, cryptic names are common.