In this lesson, you'll learn best practices for naming functions in JavaScript, ensuring that your code is readable, maintainable, and follows industry standards.

Why Function Names Matter

Choosing good function names is one of the most underrated yet important aspects of writing clean JavaScript. A well-named function makes your code self-explanatory and easy to understand without requiring excessive comments.

In JavaScript, function names should:

• Clearly describe what the function does
• Follow a consistent naming convention
• Be easy to read and understand at a glance

Let’s dive into some best practices for naming functions! 🚀

1. Use Action Words

A function should do something, so its name should start with a verb that describes what it does.

✅ Good Examples:

function getUserData() {} // Retrieves user data
function sendEmail() {}   // Sends an email
function calculateTotal() {} // Calculates total price
function fetchPosts() {}  // Fetches posts from an API

❌ Bad Examples:

function userData() {}   // Not clear what this does
function email() {}      // Is it sending, receiving, or formatting an email?
function total() {}      // What about the total? Calculating it? Displaying it?

2. Use camelCase for Function Names

JavaScript follows the camelCase naming convention for function names.

✅ Correct (camelCase):

function getUserInfo() {}
function calculatePrice() {}
function sendNotification() {}

❌ Incorrect:

function GetUserInfo() {}  // ❌ PascalCase (used for classes, not functions)
function calculate_price() {}  // ❌ Snake_case (not standard in JavaScript)
function sendnotification() {}  // ❌ Hard to read

3. Keep Function Names Short but Descriptive

Function names should be short yet meaningful. Avoid unnecessary words while keeping them clear.

✅ Good Examples:

function fetchOrders() {} // Clear and concise
function validateInput() {} // Describes the function’s role
function startGame() {} // Makes it obvious what the function does

❌ Bad Examples:

function fetchAllUserOrdersFromDatabaseTable() {} // ❌ Too long and detailed
function doStuff() {} // ❌ Too vague, what does it actually do?
function handleClick() {} // ❌ Generic, better to specify: handleButtonClick()

4. Prefix Functions Based on Their Purpose

A great way to improve clarity is to use common function prefixes that indicate the function’s purpose.

For retrieving data:

function getUserProfile() {}
function fetchOrders() {}
function retrieveSettings() {}

For modifying or updating data:

function updateProfile() {}
function modifyCart() {}
function setTheme() {}

For checking conditions:

function isUserLoggedIn() {}
function hasPermission() {}
function canAccessPage() {}

For handling events:

function handleFormSubmit() {}
function onButtonClick() {}
function processPayment() {}

5. Avoid Generic Function Names

Avoid generic function names like , , or . These don’t provide any useful information about what the function actually does.

❌ Bad Example:

function processInfo() {}  // What info? Processing it how?
function handleStuff() {}  // What "stuff" is being handled?

✅ Good Example:

function processUserLogin() {}
function handleFileUpload() {}

6. Use Booleans in Function Names for Yes/No Checks

If a function returns a boolean value (true/false), use prefixes like:

• is →
• has →
• can →
• should →

✅ Good Examples:

function isUserAdmin() { return true; }
function hasValidToken() { return false; }
function canAccessDashboard() { return true; }

❌ Bad Examples:

function userAdmin() {} // ❌ Doesn't indicate it returns true/false
function checkToken() {} // ❌ Not clear if it returns a boolean
function editProfile() {} // ❌ Sounds like an action, not a check

7. Keep Function Names Consistent

If you're working in a team or on a large project, keep function names consistent. If you use for one API call, use it for others too.

✅ Consistent Naming:

function fetchUsers() {}
function fetchPosts() {}
function fetchComments() {}

❌ Inconsistent Naming:

function getUsers() {}
function retrievePosts() {}
function loadComments() {}

8. Avoid Abbreviations and Cryptic Names

Write function names in full words instead of abbreviations or unclear shorthand.

❌ Bad Examples:

function calcPr() {}  // ❌ What does "Pr" stand for?
function getUdt() {}  // ❌ Too cryptic

✅ Good Examples:

function calculatePrice() {}
function getUserData() {}

Summary

• Use action words to describe what the function does
• Follow camelCase for naming functions
• Keep names short but meaningful (3-5 words max)
• Use prefixes to indicate purpose (e.g., get, set, is, has)
• Avoid generic names like doStuff() or processData()
• Use is, has, can for boolean-returning functions
• Stay consistent in naming conventions
• Avoid abbreviations or cryptic names

Final Thoughts

Naming functions well is one of the easiest ways to write clean, readable JavaScript code. A function name should tell you exactly what the function does—without needing to read its implementation! If you follow these best practices, your JavaScript code will be much easier to read, maintain, and debug. Now that you know how to name functions properly, let’s move on to writing better, more efficient functions in JavaScript! 🚀

0 Comments

Top comments

"Please login to view comments"

Join the Conversation!

Subscribing gives you access to the comments so you can share your ideas, ask questions, and connect with others.

Upgrade your account