Reka Horvath
The Name of the Rose
#1about 3 minutes
Why good naming is critical for understanding code
Good names act as an introduction to a domain's core concepts, making code more approachable for newcomers.
#2about 2 minutes
How mental models influence code interpretation
We process code using the same mental shortcuts as natural language, creating meaningful chunks and making assumptions based on names.
#3about 3 minutes
The danger of misleading function names
A function's name must not misrepresent its behavior, such as hiding side effects or returning unexpected types.
#4about 2 minutes
Using specific names instead of general terms
Overly general names like 'process' or 'handle' obscure a function's true purpose and should be replaced with more descriptive alternatives.
#5about 4 minutes
Establishing a one-to-one mapping for concepts
Maintain clarity by assigning exactly one name to each concept, avoiding both synonyms and using one name for multiple different ideas.
#6about 3 minutes
A cautionary tale of catastrophic naming failure
The Knight Capital case illustrates how a seemingly small naming ambiguity, when combined with other system faults, can lead to massive financial loss.
#7about 5 minutes
Designing consistent and intuitive APIs
APIs that are consistent with domain nomenclature or established frameworks are easier for developers to learn and use correctly.
#8about 2 minutes
Keeping names updated as code and business evolve
Names must be re-evaluated and updated when underlying technology or business domain concepts change to prevent them from becoming misleading.
#9about 4 minutes
Summary of key principles for effective naming
The core principles of good naming are to avoid being misleading, consider the reader's perspective, respect context, and maintain names over time.
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