Use entity domain names to model entity domain objects.
TL;DR: Don't name your variables as Data.
Problems
Readability
Bad Naming
Solutions
Use role suggesting names.
Find names in the Bijection.
Context
We use 'data' a lot in our variables.
We are used to doing it.
Using this kind of name favors the anemic treatment of objects.
We should think about domain-specific and role-suggesting names.
Sample Code
Wrong
if (!dataExists()) {
return '<div>Loading Data...</div>';
}
Right
if (!peopleFound()) {
return '<div>Loading People...</div>';
}
Detection
[X] SemiAutomatic
We can check for this substring on our code and warn our developers.
Tags
Readability
Naming
Conclusion
Data is everywhere if you see the world as only data.
We can never see the data we manipulate.
We can only infer it through behaviour.
We don't know the current temperature. We observe our thermometer pointing at 35 Degrees.
Our variables should reflect the domain and role they are fulfilling.
Naming them as 'data' is lazy and hinders readability.
Relations
Code Smell 01 - Anemic Models
Maxi Contieri ・ Oct 20 '20
Code Smell 65 - Variables Named After Types
Maxi Contieri ・ Apr 2 '21
More Info
What exactly is a name - Part II Rehab
Maxi Contieri ・ May 23 '21
Twenty percent of all input forms filled out by people contain bad data.
Dennis Ritchie
Software Engineering Great Quotes
Maxi Contieri ・ Dec 28 '20
This article is part of the CodeSmell Series.