Alex Rivera | Logout

Method names for getting data

Asked 2010-01-26T18:57:39.367
147

Warning: This is a not very serious question/discussion that I am posting... but I am willing to bet that most developers have pondered this "issue"...

Always wanted to get other opinions regarding naming conventions for methods that went and got data from somewhere and returned it...

Most method names are somewhat simple and obvious... SaveEmployee(), DeleteOrder(), UploadDocument(). Of course, with classes, you would most likely use the short form...Save(), Delete(), Upload() respectively.

However, I have always struggled with initial action...how to get the data. It seems that for every project I end up jumping between different naming conventions because I am never quite happy with the last one I used. As far as I can tell these are the possibilities -->

  • GetBooks()
  • FetchBooks()
  • RetrieveBooks()
  • FindBooks()
  • LoadBooks()

What is your thought?

naming-conventions methods
Edit
Report

1 Answer

20

Honestly you should just decide with your team which naming convention to use. But for fun, lets see what your train of thought would be to decide on any of these:

  • GetBooks()

This method belongs to a data source, and we don't care how it is obtaining them, we just want to Get them from the data source.

  • FetchBooks()

You treat your data source like a bloodhound, and it is his job to fetch your books. I guess you should decide on your own how many he can fit in his mouth at once.

  • FindBooks()

Your data source is a librarian and will use the Dewey Decimal system to find your books.

  • LoadBooks()

These books belong in some sort of "electronic book bag" and must be loaded into it. Be sure to call ZipClosed() after loading to prevent losing them.

  • RetrieveBooks()

I have nothing.

answered 2010-01-26T19:07:57.010

Your Answer