determining which verb to use for method names in Java

Question

I understand that naming conventions are important for a number of reasons, most having to do with making your code more readable and easier to integrate into larger projects, e

Answer 1

I usually ask myself:

What is this method doing?

The answer dictates what the method should be called. It is completely independent of the programmer, of course.

Note: If you can't succinctly describe what the method is doing, it's probably doing too much and should be split up.

Choosing your method's verb:

• Performing calculation(s): calculate
• Retrieving data: get or retrieve
• Mutating data: set or change
• Deleting data: delete or remove
• Converting: convert
• Initiating an action: start or initiate
• Stopping an action: stop or cancel

Now, not all methods begin with a verb; but they really don't need to. If you read:

... myString.length();

or

... myArray.size();

you know exactly what is going on - no verb required. This is true for many class methods higher up in the Java hierarchy; Collections, Math, etc. As long as the name accurately communicates what the method does, it's fine.