Clean Names

Clean Names

N1: Choose Descriptive Names

Names should reveal intent. If a name requires a comment, it doesn't reveal its intent.

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# Bad - what is d?
d = 86400

# Good - obvious meaning
SECONDS_PER_DAY = 86400

# Bad - what does this function do?
def proc(lst):
    return [x for x in lst if x > 0]

# Good - intent is clear
def filter_positive_numbers(numbers):
    return [n for n in numbers if n > 0]

N2: Choose Names at the Appropriate Level of Abstraction

Don't pick names that communicate implementation; choose names that reflect the level of abstraction of the class or function.

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# Bad - too implementation-specific
def get_dict_of_user_ids_to_names():
    ...

# Good - abstracts the data structure
def get_user_directory():
    ...

N3: Use Standard Nomenclature Where Possible

Use terms from the domain, design patterns, or well-known conventions.

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# Good - uses pattern name
class UserFactory:
    def create(self, data): ...

# Good - uses domain term
def calculate_amortization(principal, rate, term): ...

N4: Unambiguous Names

Choose names that make the workings of a function or variable unambiguous.

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# Bad - ambiguous
def rename(old, new):
    ...

# Good - clear what's being renamed
def rename_file(old_path: Path, new_path: Path):
    ...

N5: Use Longer Names for Longer Scopes

Short names are fine for tiny scopes. Longer scopes need longer, more descriptive names.

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# Good - short name for tiny scope
total = sum(x for x in numbers)

# Good - longer name for module-level constant
MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS_BEFORE_FAILURE = 5

# Bad - short name at module level
MAX = 5

N6: Avoid Encodings

Don't encode type or scope information into names. Modern editors make this unnecessary.

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# Bad - Hungarian notation
str_name = "Alice"
lst_users = []
i_count = 0

# Good - clean names
name = "Alice"
users = []
count = 0

# Bad - interface prefix
class IUserRepository:
    ...

# Good - just name it
class UserRepository:
    ...

N7: Names Should Describe Side Effects

If a function does something beyond what its name suggests, the name is misleading.

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# Bad - name doesn't mention file creation
def get_config():
    if not config_path.exists():
        config_path.write_text("{}")  # Hidden side effect!
    return json.loads(config_path.read_text())

# Good - name reveals behavior
def get_or_create_config():
    if not config_path.exists():
        config_path.write_text("{}")
    return json.loads(config_path.read_text())

Quick Reference