Even Naming This Talk Is Hard
summary
Names determine whether code is approachable or inscrutable: concrete examples include a to‑do app prototype that runs in a Docker container while its Redux code calls things container causing real confusion with physical trash containers, GitHub auto‑suggesting names like improved‑disco, an events feature that ends up with invites and an invite method, and the shift from blacklist/whitelist to blocklist/allowlist. Tools referenced: GitHub, React, Redux, Docker and linters; judgment still decides refactors.
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chapters (7)
- 0:00Introduction
- 4:16Why naming is hard
- 10:37Descriptive vs neutral naming
- 17:50Why bad names persist
- 21:25Good vs bad names
- 23:58How to name software
- 26:06Closing thoughts
