I've noticed in script examples that variables and properties are often prefixed with ak, ab, r, etc. (i.e. akActor). I'd like to keep my scripts neat and organized, can anyone tell me what the best practices are for naming variables/properties and what the common prefixes are/stand for?

If you want to use Hungarian-style prefixes, there's a thread http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1380379-meanings-behind-papyrus-script-variable-naming-conventions/page__p__20913249__hl__unsigned__fromsearch__1#entry20913249 giving our best guesses about Bethesda's. I don't think there is a consensus in the modding community about how things should be named.

thank you Ingenue. that's kinda annoying there's no consensus on naming conventions. Perhaps we should start standardizing them, it would make reading and writing scripts a lot easier imho.

From all the people reading your scripts you are the only one that need to be confortable with your code. Unless you are working with other scripters, you should use the convention that adapt best to your own style. Unless you are planning to create a script library modders resource. But it's a bit early for something like that.

There's already a standard for argument/variable nomenclature which is consistent in, at least, Beth's scripts:

a : Argument :: b : Bool :: f : Float :: i : Int :: k : Form/Alias :: r : Reference :: s : String :: u : *Unsigned Integer

*"Papyrus doesn't have an unsigned type, but the game will take your value or 0, whichever is higher." (Jeff Lundin)

Awesome! Thanks JustinOther!