Retrieve attribute code in configurable product in magento

echo $_attribute->getProductAttribute()->getAttributeCode();

Mage::getModel('eav/entity_attribute')->load($_attribute->getAttributeId())->getAttributeCode();

/**
 * get attribute collection
 */
$attribute = $_product->getResource()->getAttribute('my_attribute');
/**
 * get attribute type
 */
$attribute->getAttributeType();
/**
 * get attribute Label
 */
$attribute->getFrontendLabel();
/**
 * get attribute default value
 */
$attribute->getDefaultValue();
/**
 * check if the attribute is visible
 */
$attribute->getIsVisible();
/**
 * check if the attribute is required
 */
$attribute->getIsRequired();
/**
 * get attribute value
 */
$attributeValue = Mage::getModel('catalog/product')->load($_product->getId())->getMyAttribute();