Because it adds complexity for nothing. If the work to go from "code" to "message" would need several operations I would understand the argument, but here I don't think it makes things more readable.

One variable is straightforward imho :

```js

var message;

if (!req.body.hasOwnProperty("shortVerificationCode") || 
     req.body.shortVerificationCode !== true) {
  message = crypto.randomBytes(conf.get("longCodeBytes")).toString("hex");
} else {
  message = "Your verification code is: " + digitsCode(conf.get("shortCodeLength"));
}

```