45.3. Good practices in Java and coding standards: Standards for class names, interfaces, methods and variables

45.3. Good Practices in Java and Coding Standards

Programming in Java, as in any other language, requires a series of good practices and coding standards to ensure that the code is readable, maintainable and efficient. These standards are essential to facilitate collaboration between developers and to maintain software quality over time. In this chapter, we will cover the patterns for class names, interfaces, methods and variables in Java.

Patterns for Class Names

Classes are the fundamental building blocks in Java, and the way they are named has a significant impact on the readability of the code. Here are some rules and patterns for naming classes in Java:

• Use nouns: Classes generally represent entities or concepts, so it is advisable to use nouns or names made up of nouns to name them, such as Customer, Bank Account , or OrderManager.
• CamelCase: Class names must follow the CamelCase pattern, starting with a capital letter. For example, Stock, RelatorioFinancial.
• Avoid abbreviations: Unless the abbreviation is widely known and accepted, avoid using them. Full names make code more understandable.
• Be descriptive and consistent: The class name should clearly reflect the purpose of the class. Additionally, be consistent with terminology throughout the project.

Patterns for Interface Names

Interfaces in Java are used to define contracts that classes can implement. The naming of interfaces follows similar rules to those of classes, with some nuances:

• Use adjectives: Interfaces often represent capabilities, so it is common to use adjectives in their names, such as Serializable, Comparable or Runnable.
• Prefixes: Some conventions suggest using an "I" prefix to denote an interface, such as IAutenticavel, but this practice is less common in Java than in others languages, such as C#.
• CamelCase: As with classes, interface names must use CamelCase with the first letter capitalized.

Patterns for Method Names

Methods represent actions, and their names should reflect this. Here are some guidelines:

• Use verbs: Because methods perform actions, it is appropriate to use verbs or verb phrases, such as calcularDiscount, sendMessage or imprimirRelatorio< /code>.
• CamelCase: Method names must begin with a lowercase letter and follow the CamelCase pattern for subsequent words.
• Be clear and concise: The name should clearly convey what the method does without being unnecessarily long.
• Use names that reveal intent: For example, isEmpty() is better than getEmpty() for a method that checks whether a collection is empty.

Patterns for Variable Names

Variables store data, and their names must clearly reflect the type of data they contain. Here are some tips for naming variables:

• Use meaningful names: Variable names should be descriptive enough to indicate the purpose of the variable, such as salarioMonsal, timeEspera, or < code>numeroPaginas.
• CamelCase: For local variables and instances, start with a lowercase letter and use CamelCase for additional words. For final static constants, use all capital letters with underscores to separate words, such as MAX_VALUE.
• Avoid single-character names: Except for temporary or loop variables, such as i or j, avoid using short variable names that do not convey meaning.
• Prefer full names over abbreviations: Full names make code more readable and less prone to misunderstandings.

Following these coding standards not only makes your code more readable, it also helps prevent errors and makes maintenance and collaboration easier. Remember that consistency is key, so once you adopt a set of conventions, apply them throughout your code to maintain uniformity.