# Code Smell 285 - Non-Imperative Functions Names > TL;DR: Functions with unclear names hide intent and confuse readers. Use descriptive, action-oriented names. # Problems - Unclear function purpose - Increased cognitive load - Misleading context - Reduced readability - Difficult collaboration - Hidden functionality # Solutions 1. Use action-oriented verbs 2. Make [names](https://maximilianocontieri.com/what-exactly-is-a-name-part-i-the-quest) descriptive 3. Reflect the function’s purpose 4. Avoid generic terms 5. Provide meaningful context 6. Express single responsibility clearly 7. Match action to outcome # Refactorings %[https://maximilianocontieri.com/refactoring-005-replace-comment-with-function-name] # Context Functions named with generic terms force readers to dive into the implementation to understand their behavior. This wastes time and increases the chance of errors. [Naming](https://maximilianocontieri.com/what-exactly-is-a-name-part-ii-rehab) becomes even more critical when working with standalone functions, where the class name doesn't provide additional context. This issue directly relates to the *Tell, Don’t Ask principle*. Instead of exposing ambiguous behaviors that force the caller to infer functionality, imperative names convey the exact action, guiding the reader without needing to inspect the code. When you name functions descriptively, you eliminate unnecessary guesswork and align with this principle. # Sample Code ## Wrong ```javascript public String dateFormatting(Date date) { return new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd").format(date); } public void load() { System.out.println("Loading..."); } ``` ## Right ```javascript public String formatDate(Date date) { return new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd").format(date); } public void loadUserPreferences() { System.out.println("Loading user preferences..."); } ``` # Detection [X] Manual You can detect this smell by reviewing function names that use vague terms like *do*, *run*, *process*, *load*, etc. Automated linters can flag these patterns or highlight functions with overly generic names. # Tags - Naming # Level [X] Beginner # Why the Bijection Is Important Function names should create a clear [one-to-one correspondence]((https://maximilianocontieri.com/what-is-wrong-with-software)) between their name and functionality. Breaking this [Bijection](https://maximilianocontieri.com/the-one-and-only-software-design-principle) forces developers to examine code details for context, slowing down debugging, reviews, and extensions. # AI Generation AI tools sometimes generate generic function names without understanding your domain. When using AI, specify that function names must be descriptive and action-oriented. # AI Detection AI models can help detect ambiguous names by comparing function signatures with predefined naming best practices. Combining AI with manual code review yields the best results. ## Try Them! *Remember: AI Assistants make lots of mistakes* | Without Proper Instructions | With Specific Instructions | | -------- | ------- | | [ChatGPT](https://chat.openai.com/?q=Correct+and+explain+this+code%3A+%60%60%60javascript%0D%0Apublic+String+dateFormatting%28Date+date%29+%7B%0D%0A++++return+new+SimpleDateFormat%28%22yyyy-MM-dd%22%29.format%28date%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%0D%0Apublic+void+load%28%29+%7B%0D%0A++++System.out.println%28%22Loading...%22%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%60%60%60) | [ChatGPT](https://chat.openai.com/?q=Convert+it+to+more+declarative+names%3A+%60%60%60javascript%0D%0Apublic+String+dateFormatting%28Date+date%29+%7B%0D%0A++++return+new+SimpleDateFormat%28%22yyyy-MM-dd%22%29.format%28date%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%0D%0Apublic+void+load%28%29+%7B%0D%0A++++System.out.println%28%22Loading...%22%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%60%60%60) | | [Claude](https://claude.ai/new?q=Correct+and+explain+this+code%3A+%60%60%60javascript%0D%0Apublic+String+dateFormatting%28Date+date%29+%7B%0D%0A++++return+new+SimpleDateFormat%28%22yyyy-MM-dd%22%29.format%28date%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%0D%0Apublic+void+load%28%29+%7B%0D%0A++++System.out.println%28%22Loading...%22%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%60%60%60) | [Claude](https://claude.ai/new?q=Convert+it+to+more+declarative+names%3A+%60%60%60javascript%0D%0Apublic+String+dateFormatting%28Date+date%29+%7B%0D%0A++++return+new+SimpleDateFormat%28%22yyyy-MM-dd%22%29.format%28date%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%0D%0Apublic+void+load%28%29+%7B%0D%0A++++System.out.println%28%22Loading...%22%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%60%60%60) | | [Perplexity](https://perplexity.ai/?q=Correct+and+explain+this+code%3A+%60%60%60javascript%0D%0Apublic+String+dateFormatting%28Date+date%29+%7B%0D%0A++++return+new+SimpleDateFormat%28%22yyyy-MM-dd%22%29.format%28date%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%0D%0Apublic+void+load%28%29+%7B%0D%0A++++System.out.println%28%22Loading...%22%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%60%60%60) | [Perplexity](https://perplexity.ai/?q=Convert+it+to+more+declarative+names%3A+%60%60%60javascript%0D%0Apublic+String+dateFormatting%28Date+date%29+%7B%0D%0A++++return+new+SimpleDateFormat%28%22yyyy-MM-dd%22%29.format%28date%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%0D%0Apublic+void+load%28%29+%7B%0D%0A++++System.out.println%28%22Loading...%22%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%60%60%60) | | [Copilot](https://www.bing.com/chat?showconv=1&sendquery=1&q=Correct+and+explain+this+code%3A+%60%60%60javascript%0D%0Apublic+String+dateFormatting%28Date+date%29+%7B%0D%0A++++return+new+SimpleDateFormat%28%22yyyy-MM-dd%22%29.format%28date%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%0D%0Apublic+void+load%28%29+%7B%0D%0A++++System.out.println%28%22Loading...%22%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%60%60%60) | [Copilot](https://www.bing.com/chat?showconv=1&sendquery=1&q=Convert+it+to+more+declarative+names%3A+%60%60%60javascript%0D%0Apublic+String+dateFormatting%28Date+date%29+%7B%0D%0A++++return+new+SimpleDateFormat%28%22yyyy-MM-dd%22%29.format%28date%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%0D%0Apublic+void+load%28%29+%7B%0D%0A++++System.out.println%28%22Loading...%22%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%60%60%60) | | [Gemini](https://gemini.google.com/?q=Correct+and+explain+this+code%3A+%60%60%60javascript%0D%0Apublic+String+dateFormatting%28Date+date%29+%7B%0D%0A++++return+new+SimpleDateFormat%28%22yyyy-MM-dd%22%29.format%28date%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%0D%0Apublic+void+load%28%29+%7B%0D%0A++++System.out.println%28%22Loading...%22%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%60%60%60) | [Gemini](https://gemini.google.com/?q=Convert+it+to+more+declarative+names%3A+%60%60%60javascript%0D%0Apublic+String+dateFormatting%28Date+date%29+%7B%0D%0A++++return+new+SimpleDateFormat%28%22yyyy-MM-dd%22%29.format%28date%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%0D%0Apublic+void+load%28%29+%7B%0D%0A++++System.out.println%28%22Loading...%22%29%3B%0D%0A%7D%0D%0A%60%60%60) | # Conclusion Function names are not just labels; they are contracts with the reader. [Ambiguous names]([https://maximilianocontieri.com/what-exactly-is-a-name-part-ii-rehab) break this contract and lead to confusion. Descriptive, action-oriented names simplify communication and make your code easier to maintain and extend. # Relations %[https://maximilianocontieri.com/code-smell-33-abbreviations] %[https://maximilianocontieri.com/code-smell-153-too-long-names] %[https://maximilianocontieri.com/code-smell-38-abstract-names] %[https://maximilianocontieri.com/code-smell-174-class-name-in-attributes] # See also %[https://maximilianocontieri.com/what-exactly-is-a-name-part-i-the-quest] %[https://maximilianocontieri.com/what-exactly-is-a-name-part-ii-rehab] # Disclaimer Code Smells are my [opinion](https://maximilianocontieri.com/i-wrote-more-than-90-articles-on-2021-here-is-what-i-learned). # Credits Photo by [britishlibrary](https://unsplash.com/@britishlibrary) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/grayscale-photo-of-men-standing-beside-houses-toxJVcTa26k) * * * > A function name should be a verb or a verb phrase, and it needs to be meaningful _Robert C. Martin_ %[https://maximilianocontieri.com/software-engineering-great-quotes] * * * This article is part of the CodeSmell Series. %[https://maximilianocontieri.com/how-to-find-the-stinky-parts-of-your-code]