functionname

Functionname is the term used to describe the identifier assigned to a function in a programming language. It is how a function is invoked and how it can be referenced or passed as a value. Function names should be unique within their scope and usually aim to reflect the function’s purpose and behavior.

Naming conventions vary by language and project. Most languages impose rules such as starting with a letter or underscore and permitting letters, digits, and underscores thereafter, with names being case sensitive. Style guides differ: camelCase (computeTotal), snake_case (compute_total), and PascalCase (ComputeTotal) are common across languages and communities. Descriptive, action-oriented names tend to aid readability, for example, fetchUserProfile or validateInput. Avoid generic or misleading names like doThing or data. Remember that reserved keywords cannot be used as function names, and namespaces or modules may require qualification to prevent collisions.

In many languages, function names participate in scoping and resolution rules. Functions can be augmented by namespaces, modules, or classes, so a call may require qualification (Module.functionName or ClassName.methodName). Some languages support function overloading, allowing multiple functions with the same name but different parameter lists. Others rely on different function signatures or names to distinguish behavior. Default arguments and variadic parameters can also influence how a chosen name maps to a specific implementation.

Good function naming supports API usability and maintainability. Names should describe purpose, be consistent with project conventions, and, when appropriate, indicate side effects or return semantics. Documentation, testing, and refactoring practices should accompany naming decisions to minimize confusion and maintain coherence across the codebase.