The Importance of Establishing Naming Standards for Code

Establishing naming standards for code is a best practice in software development that helps improve the readability, maintainability, and consistency of code across a project or organization.

Exam Question

Which is a benefit of establishing naming standards for code?
(choose the best answer)
A. To make it easy to distinguish between different software products.
B. To ensure that “orphan functions” are not created.
C. To make the code more readable.
D. To communicate the name of the developer that worked on the code.

Correct Answer

C. To make the code more readable.

Explanation

Correct Answer

C. To make the code more readable:
Establishing naming standards for code primarily aims to make the code more readable. Consistent naming conventions help Developers quickly understand the purpose of variables, functions, classes, and other elements, reducing the cognitive load when reading and maintaining code. Readable code is easier to debug, refactor, and extend.

Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate

A. To make it easy to distinguish between different software products:
Naming standards within code are more focused on consistency within a project rather than distinguishing between different products. Differentiation between products is usually managed through other means, such as versioning and product documentation.

B. To ensure that “orphan functions” are not created:
Naming standards do not directly prevent the creation of orphan functions (functions that are not called or used anywhere). This issue is typically addressed through code reviews and static analysis tools rather than naming conventions.

D. To communicate the name of the developer that worked on the code:
Naming standards are not intended to identify the developer who wrote a piece of code. Instead, version control systems and commit histories are used to track which developers contributed to the codebase.

Relevance to the PSD Exam

Understanding the benefit of naming standards in code is important for the PSD exam, as it emphasizes the role of clean, readable code in maintaining software quality and collaboration among Developers.

Key Takeaways

• Naming standards help improve the readability and maintainability of code.
• Readable code reduces errors and makes it easier for teams to collaborate and extend the codebase.

Conclusion

Establishing and adhering to naming standards is a key practice in software development that ensures code readability and maintainability. For more information on preparing for the PSD exam, visit our Professional Scrum Developer PSD™ Exam Prep.