What are the valid characters for a Java method name?

Question

I read about the naming of Java variables. It says that Java variables cannot start with any numbers and special characters except for $ and _.

Some valid examples:

int count;
int _count;
int $count;

And some invalid examples:

int %count;
int 4count;
int #count;

Do the same rules apply to method names?

Answer 1

Yes, method names and variable names are what's called "identifiers". Identifiers all share the same rules regarding accepted characters. Take a look at §3.8 from the Java Language Specification to find out exactly what an identifier may contain, and §6.2 for an explanation about how identifiers are used.

Answer 2

You might be surprised when having unusual characters for method, such as:

public void mój_brzuch_zacznie_burczeć()

and it works pretty nice. Take a look at this blog to see more fancy examples.

Answer 3

yes, you are right, the same rules are applied for functions.

Answer 4

From the Java Tutorial:

"Although a method name can be any legal identifier, code conventions restrict method names." http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/javaOO/methods.html