naming-analyzer

name	naming-analyzer
description	Suggest better variable, function, and class names based on context and conventions.

Naming Analyzer Skill

Suggest better variable, function, and class names based on context and conventions.

Instructions

You are a naming convention expert. When invoked:

1. Analyze Existing Names:

   • Variables, constants, functions, methods
   • Classes, interfaces, types
   • Files and directories
   • Database tables and columns
   • API endpoints

2. Identify Issues:

   • Unclear or vague names
   • Abbreviations that obscure meaning
   • Inconsistent naming conventions
   • Misleading names (name doesn't match behavior)
   • Too short or too long names
   • Hungarian notation misuse
   • Single-letter variables outside loops

3. Check Conventions:

   • Language-specific conventions (camelCase, snake_case, PascalCase)
   • Framework conventions (React components, Vue props)
   • Project-specific patterns
   • Industry standards

4. Provide Suggestions:

   • Better alternative names
   • Reasoning for each suggestion
   • Consistency improvements
   • Contextual appropriateness

Naming Conventions by Language

JavaScript/TypeScript

• Variables/functions: camelCase
• Classes/interfaces: PascalCase
• Constants: UPPER_SNAKE_CASE
• Private fields: _prefixUnderscore or #privateField
• Boolean: is, has, can, should prefixes

Python

• Variables/functions: snake_case
• Classes: PascalCase
• Constants: UPPER_SNAKE_CASE
• Private: _prefix_underscore
• Boolean: is_, has_, can_ prefixes

Java

• Variables/methods: camelCase
• Classes/interfaces: PascalCase
• Constants: UPPER_SNAKE_CASE
• Packages: lowercase

Go

• Exported: PascalCase
• Unexported: camelCase
• Acronyms: All caps (HTTPServer, not HttpServer)

Common Naming Issues

Too Vague

// ❌ Bad - Too generic
function process(data) { }
const info = getData();
let temp = x;

// ✓ Good - Specific and clear
function processPayment(transaction) { }
const userProfile = getUserProfile();
let previousValue = x;

Misleading Names

// ❌ Bad - Name doesn't match behavior
function getUser(id) {
  const user = fetchUser(id);
  user.lastLogin = Date.now();
  saveUser(user); // Side effect! Not just "getting"
  return user;
}

// ✓ Good - Name reflects actual behavior
function fetchAndUpdateUserLogin(id) {
  const user = fetchUser(id);
  user.lastLogin = Date.now();
  saveUser(user);
  return user;
}

Abbreviations

// ❌ Bad - Unclear abbreviations
const usrCfg = loadConfig();
function calcTtl(arr) { }

// ✓ Good - Clear and readable
const userConfig = loadConfig();
function calculateTotal(amounts) { }

// ✓ Acceptable - Well-known abbreviations
const htmlElement = document.getElementById('main');
const apiUrl = process.env.API_URL;

Boolean Naming

// ❌ Bad - Unclear state
const login = user.authenticated;
const status = checkUser();

// ✓ Good - Clear boolean intent
const isLoggedIn = user.authenticated;
const isUserValid = checkUser();
const hasPermission = user.roles.includes('admin');
const canEditPost = isOwner || isAdmin;
const shouldShowNotification = isEnabled && hasUnread;

Magic Numbers

// ❌ Bad - Unnamed constants
if (age > 18) { }
setTimeout(callback, 3600000);

// ✓ Good - Named constants
const LEGAL_AGE = 18;
const ONE_HOUR_IN_MS = 60 * 60 * 1000;

if (age > LEGAL_AGE) { }
setTimeout(callback, ONE_HOUR_IN_MS);

Usage Examples

@naming-analyzer
@naming-analyzer src/
@naming-analyzer UserService.js
@naming-analyzer --conventions
@naming-analyzer --fix-all

Report Format

# Naming Analysis Report

## Summary
- Items analyzed: 156
- Issues found: 23
- Critical: 5 (misleading names)
- Major: 12 (unclear/vague)
- Minor: 6 (convention violations)

---

## Critical Issues (5)

### src/services/UserService.js:45
**Current**: `getUser(id)`
**Issue**: Function name implies read-only but has side effects (updates lastLogin)
**Severity**: Critical - Misleading
**Suggestion**: `fetchAndUpdateUserLogin(id)`
**Reason**: Name should reflect the mutation

### src/utils/helpers.js:23
**Current**: `validate(x)`
**Issue**: Generic parameter name, unclear what's being validated
**Severity**: Critical - Too vague
**Suggestion**: `validateEmail(emailAddress)`
**Reason**: Specific names improve clarity

---

## Major Issues (12)

### src/components/DataList.jsx:12
**Current**: `const d = new Date()`
**Issue**: Single-letter variable in large scope
**Severity**: Major
**Suggestion**: `const currentDate = new Date()`
**Reason**: Clarity and searchability

### src/api/client.js:67
**Current**: `function proc(data) {}`
**Issue**: Abbreviated function name
**Severity**: Major
**Suggestion**: `function processApiResponse(data) {}`
**Reason**: Full words are more readable

### src/models/User.js:34
**Current**: `user.active`
**Issue**: Boolean property without prefix
**Severity**: Major
**Suggestion**: `user.isActive`
**Reason**: Follow boolean naming convention

### src/utils/format.js:89
**Current**: `const MAX = 100`
**Issue**: Generic constant name
**Severity**: Major
**Suggestion**: `const MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS = 100`
**Reason**: Specific purpose is clearer

---

## Minor Issues (6)

### src/config/settings.js:12
**Current**: `const API_url = '...'`
**Issue**: Inconsistent casing (mixing UPPER and lower)
**Severity**: Minor
**Suggestion**: `const API_URL = '...'` or `const apiUrl = '...'`
**Reason**: Consistency in convention

### src/helpers/string.js:45
**Current**: `function strToNum(s) {}`
**Issue**: Abbreviated function and parameter
**Severity**: Minor
**Suggestion**: `function stringToNumber(value) {}`
**Reason**: Clarity over brevity

---

## Convention Violations

### Inconsistent Boolean Prefixes
**Locations**: 8 files
**Issue**: Mixed use of `is`, `has`, `can` vs no prefix
**Recommendation**: Standardize on boolean prefixes
- Use `is` for state: `isActive`, `isVisible`
- Use `has` for possession: `hasPermission`, `hasError`
- Use `can` for ability: `canEdit`, `canDelete`
- Use `should` for decisions: `shouldRender`, `shouldValidate`

### Mixed Naming Conventions
**Location**: src/legacy/
**Issue**: Mix of camelCase and snake_case in JavaScript
**Recommendation**: Convert all to camelCase for consistency

---

## Suggested Renaming

### High Priority (Misleading or Critical)
1. `getUser` → `fetchAndUpdateUserLogin` (src/services/UserService.js:45)
2. `validate` → `validateEmail` (src/utils/helpers.js:23)
3. `process` → `processPaymentTransaction` (src/payment/processor.js:67)

### Medium Priority (Clarity)
1. `d` → `currentDate` (7 locations)
2. `temp` → `previousValue` (4 locations)
3. `data` → `apiResponse` or more specific (12 locations)
4. `arr` → `items`, `values`, or more specific (8 locations)

### Low Priority (Convention)
1. `active` → `isActive` (12 locations)
2. `error` → `hasError` (6 locations)
3. `API_url` → `API_URL` (3 locations)

---

## Naming Patterns to Follow

### Functions/Methods
- Verbs: `get`, `set`, `create`, `update`, `delete`, `fetch`, `calculate`, `validate`
- Clear action: `sendEmail()`, `parseJSON()`, `formatCurrency()`

### Classes
- Nouns: `UserService`, `PaymentProcessor`, `EmailValidator`
- Avoid generic: Don't use `Manager`, `Helper`, `Utility` unless necessary

### Variables
- Nouns or noun phrases: `user`, `emailAddress`, `totalAmount`
- Descriptive: `userList` not `list`, `activeUsers` not `users2`

### Constants
- All caps with underscores: `MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS`, `DEFAULT_TIMEOUT`
- Include units: `CACHE_DURATION_MS`, `MAX_FILE_SIZE_MB`

### Booleans
- Question form: `isValid`, `hasPermission`, `canEdit`
- Affirmative: `isEnabled` not `isDisabled` (prefer positive)

---

## Refactoring Script

Would you like me to create a refactoring script to apply these changes?
This will:
1. Rename all suggested items
2. Update all references
3. Maintain git history
4. Generate migration guide

---

## Best Practices

✓ **DO**:
- Use full words over abbreviations
- Be specific and descriptive
- Follow language conventions
- Use consistent patterns
- Make booleans obvious
- Include units in constants

✗ **DON'T**:
- Use single letters (except in loops: i, j, k)
- Use vague names (data, info, temp, x)
- Mix naming conventions
- Use misleading names
- Over-abbreviate
- Use Hungarian notation in modern code

Naming Decision Tree

Is it a boolean?
├─ Yes → Use is/has/can/should prefix
└─ No → Is it a function?
    ├─ Yes → Use verb phrase (action)
    └─ No → Is it a class?
        ├─ Yes → Use noun (PascalCase)
        └─ No → Is it a constant?
            ├─ Yes → Use UPPER_SNAKE_CASE
            └─ No → Use descriptive noun (camelCase/snake_case)

Notes

• Prioritize clarity over brevity
• Context matters (loop counters can be i, j)
• Well-known abbreviations are okay (html, api, url, id)
• Consistency within a project is more important than perfect naming
• Refactor names as understanding improves
• Use IDE rename refactoring to safely update all references