I think the effects of cognitive load on code readability can be demonstrated with variable and function names:
phi
s
ses
session
cursor_session
database_session
dbs
db.session
Really short variable names reduce the cognitive burden for users that understand that "phi" means "database session", but frustrate users who aren't contextually familiar.
Really long variable names make it too difficult to verbalize and thus comprehend code.
Is 7±2 a practical limit to working memory for seasoned coders, though?
