Set the xyz variable to nil or Set the variable xzy to nil?

[Zoli]

Set the xyz variable to nil.
or
Set the variable xzy to nil.

Which one is correct?

Context.
xzy is the name of the variable. Nil is its value. Both variable and nil are terms used in computer programming.

 

[teechar]

Both work. I prefer the second out of those two. However, consider saying "Set xyz to nil".