Java Guides
Java naming conventions are sort of guidelines that application programmers are expected to follow to produce a consistent and readable code throughout the application.
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Let’s discuss package,class,variable,method,constant,abstract class and exception class naming conventions with examples.
1. Packages naming conventions
A package should be named in lowercase characters. There should be only one English word after each dot.
The prefix of a unique package name is always written in all-lowercase ASCII letters and should be one of the top-level domain names, like com, edu, gov, mil, net, org.
package org.springframework.core.convert; package org.hibernate.criterion; package org.springframework.boot.actuate.audit; package org.apache.tools.ant.dispatch;
Package naming convention used by Oracle for the Java core packages. The initial package name representing the domain name must be in lower case.
package java.lang; package java.util;
2. Classes naming conventions
Class names should be nouns in UpperCamelCase (in mixed case with the first letter of each internal word capitalized). Try to keep your class names simple and descriptive.
class Employee class Student class EmployeeDao class CompanyService
class String class Color class Button class System class Thread class Character class Compiler class Number
3. Interfaces naming conventions
In Java, interfaces names, generally, should be adjectives. Interfaces should be in titlecase with the first letter of each separate word capitalized. In some cases, interfaces can be nouns as well when they present a family of classes e.g. List and Map.
Runnable Remote ActionListener Appendable AutoCloseable CharSequence Cloneable Comparable Readable
4. Methods naming conventions
Methods always should be verbs. They represent action and the method name should clearly state the action they perform. The method name can be single or 2-3 words as needed to clearly represent the action. Words should be in camel case notation.
Examples:
public List Customer> getCustomers(); public void saveCustomer(Customer theCustomer); public Customer getCustomer(int theId); public void deleteCustomer(int theId);
getName() computeTotalWidth() actionPerformed() main() print() println(),
5. Variables naming conventions
The variable name should start with a lowercase letter. Parameter names, member variable names, and local variable names should be written in lowerCamelCase.
firstName orderNumber lastName phoneNo id counter temp
6. Constants naming conventions
Constant variable names should be written in upper characters separated by underscores. These names should be semantically complete and clear.
RED, YELLOW, MAX_PRIORITY, MAX_STOCK_COUNT
7. Abstract classes naming conventions
I observed in many standard libraries, the naming conventions used for Abstract class is class name must start with Abstract or Base prefix. This naming convention can vary from organization to organization.
AbstractHibernateDao AbstractCommonDao AbstractBase
AbstractBean AbstractBeanDefinition AbstractUrlBasedView AbstractIdentifiable
8. Exception classes naming conventions
I observed in many standard libraries, the naming conventions used for custom Exception class is class name must end with Exception suffix.
TransactionException SQLDataException ResourceNotFountException ResourceAlreadyExistException
ArithmeticException ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException ClassNotFoundException CloneNotSupportedException EnumConstantNotPresentException Exception IllegalAccessException IllegalArgumentException IllegalMonitorStateException IllegalStateException IllegalThreadStateException IndexOutOfBoundsException
9. Enumeration naming conventions
public enum Day < SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY; >
10. Generic types naming conventions
Generic type parameter names should be uppercase single letters. The letter ‘T’ for a type is typically recommended. In JDK classes, E is used for collection elements, S is used for service loaders, and K and V are used for map keys and values.
public interface Map <> public interface List extends CollectionE> <> IteratorE> iterator() <>
11. Annotations naming conventions
Annotation names follow title case notation. They can be adjective, verb or noun based on the requirements.
public @interface FunctionalInterface <> public @interface Deprecated <> public @interface Documented <> public @Async Documented < public @Test DocumentedSpecific Naming Conventions(Good to know)
Apart from the above java standard naming conventions, there are few more naming conventions that would be followed in many standard libraries such as Spring, Apache, Hibernate etc.
isSet, isVisible, isFinished, isFound, isOpenThis is the naming convention for boolean methods and variables used by Oracle for the Java core packages.
Using the is prefix solves a common problem of choosing bad boolean names like status or flag. isStatus or isFlag simply doesn't fit, and the programmer is forced to choose more meaningful names.
void setFound(boolean isFound);There are a few alternatives to the is a prefix that fits better in some situations. These have, can and should prefixes:
boolean hasLicense(); boolean canEvaluate(); boolean shouldAbort = false;valueSet.computeAverage(); matrix.computeInverse()Give the reader the immediate clue that this is a potentially time-consuming operation, and if used repeatedly, he might consider caching the result. Consistent use of the term enhances readability.
vertex.findNearestVertex(); matrix.findSmallestElement(); node.findShortestPath(Node destinationNode);Give the reader the immediate clue that this is a simple lookup method with a minimum of computations involved. Consistent use of the term enhances readability.
CollectionPoint> points; int[] values;Enhances readability since the name gives the user an immediate clue of the type of the variable and the operations that can be performed on its elements.
void setTopic(Topic topic) // NOT: void setTopic(Topic value) // NOT: void setTopic(Topic aTopic) // NOT: void setTopic(Topic t) void connect(Database database) // NOT: void connect(Database db) // NOT: void connect(Database oracleDB)line.getLength(); // NOT: line.getLineLength();Please write comments, if you want to give any suggestions or feedback about my articles would be appreciated.
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Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the Java naming conventions to be followed for consistent writing of code which makes the code more readable and maintainable.
Naming conventions are probably the first best practice to follow while writing clean code in any programming language.
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