Changes for page Expressive Names

Last modified by chrisby on 2023/11/18 17:45

From version 1.6
edited by chrisby
on 2023/11/18 13:45
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version 1.2
edited by chrisby
on 2023/11/17 21:53
Change comment: There is no comment for this version

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1 -Names should be chosen as carefully as the name of his firstborn child. Implicity: It should be self-evident from reading the code how it works.
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3 -* **Choose names that are descriptive of the purpose.** For example, a variables name should stand for one concept. Its better to have a variable `unorderedNumbers`, which is sorted and stored in `orderedNumbers` instead of saving both lists in the same variable `numbers`.
4 -* **Avoid misinformation.** For example, ambiguities, confusion with similar names or easily confused characters (l and 1, O and 0).
5 -* Make differences clear. Avoid very similar expressions and blank words are redundant (a, an, the, info, data).
6 -* **Use pronounceable names.** Programming is a social activity that people talk about with others.
7 -* **Use searchable names.** Searchable means avoiding search conflicts with other similar or even identical names. The length of a name should match the size of its scope. For local counting loops, one letter is sufficient; if the variable is used in several places in the code, it needs a longer name.
8 -* **Avoid encodings.** There should be no references to the scope or type of the variable in the name.
9 -* **Avoid mental mappings.** The name of a variable should not require mental effort to understand. For example, unusual abbreviations should be avoided.
10 -* Names of classes consist of nouns or substantivistic expressions.
11 -* Method names
12 - * They consist of a verb or an expression with a verb. Accessors, mutators, and predicates should be named after their value and follow the JavaBean standard (prefixes: get, set, is, has).
13 - * Overloaded constructors can lead to confusion, e.g. if one constructor accepts a float argument and and another one an int argument. Overloaded constructors should be declared as private and functions should be used to create instances whose names highlight the difference.
14 -* Avoid humorous names.
15 -* Choose one word per concept.
16 - * "get" instead of "fetch" and "retrieve".
17 -* No puns.
18 -* Avoid ambiguities as in the word "add" (addition or adding).
19 -* Use names of the solution domain.
20 - * Programmers will read your code, so use technical language.
21 -* Use names of the problem domain.
22 - * If there are no terms from computer science. Then at least domain experts can refer to it.
23 -* Add meaningful context.
24 - * Together with the names of other variables and methods, this context can be created.
25 -* Do not add superfluous context.
26 - * Shorter names are better than longer ones, as long as they are clear. Names should be simple, but meaningful.
27 -* Dare to rename things. Your colleagues should be grateful for improvements.
3 +**Meaningful and Descriptive Names**
4 + * Choose names carefully, as if naming a child.
5 + * Names should reflect the code's purpose clearly. For example, use unorderedNumbers and orderedNumbers instead of a generic numbers.
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8 +**Avoid Misinformation**
9 + * Steer clear of ambiguous, easily confused names or characters (e.g., l vs. 1, O vs. 0).
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12 +**Clarity in Differences**
13 + * Distinguish names distinctly, avoiding similar expressions and redundant words (e.g., a, an, the, info, data).
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16 +**Pronounceable and Searchable Names**
17 + * Use names that are easy to pronounce and discuss.
18 + * Name length should match its scope: short for local loops, longer for broader usage.
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21 +**No Encodings or Mental Mappings**
22 + * Avoid including type or scope information in names.
23 + * Names should be clear without requiring mental translation.
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26 +**Naming Conventions for Classes and Methods**
27 + * Class names: Use nouns or noun phrases.
28 + * Method names: Use verbs or verb phrases, adhering to standards like JavaBean (get, set, is, has). Utilize descriptive function names instead of overloaded constructors.
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31 +**Avoid Inappropriate Humor and Ambiguities**
32 + * Refrain from humorous names.
33 + * Choose one word per concept to maintain consistency (e.g., always use "get" instead of alternating with "fetch" or "retrieve").
34 + * Avoid puns and ambiguous terms (like "add" for addition or appending).
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37 +**Domain-Specific Naming**
38 + * Use technical terms (solution domain) for clarity among programmers.
39 + * Use terms from the problem domain when no technical equivalents exist, aiding domain experts.
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42 +**Context and Simplicity in Naming**
43 + * Provide meaningful context through combined variable and method names.
44 + * Avoid unnecessary context; opt for shorter, meaningful names.
45 + * Be open to renaming for clarity and improvement.