go-naming

Go Naming Conventions

Resource Routing

• scripts/check-naming.sh - Run when checking SCREAMING_SNAKE_CASE constants, Get-prefixed getters, generic package names, or receivers named this/self.
• references/IDENTIFIERS.md - Read when choosing names for initialisms, exported identifiers, or package-level symbols.
• references/REPETITION.md - Read when names repeat package, receiver, type, or local context.
• references/VARIABLES.md - Read when choosing local variable names, receiver names, or loop identifiers.

Core Principle

Names should:

• Not feel repetitive when used
• Take context into consideration
• Not repeat concepts that are already clear

Naming is more art than science—Go names tend to be shorter than in other languages.

---

Naming Decision Flow

What are you naming?
├─ Package       → Short, lowercase, singular noun (no underscores, no mixedCaps)
├─ Interface     → Method name + "-er" suffix when single-method (Reader, Writer)
├─ Receiver      → 1-2 letter abbreviation of type (c for Client); consistent across methods
├─ Constant      → MixedCaps; use iota for enums; no ALL_CAPS
├─ Exported func → Verb or verb-phrase in MixedCaps; no Get prefix for getters
├─ Variable      → Length proportional to scope distance
│                  ├─ Tiny scope (1-7 lines) → single letter (i, n, r)
│                  ├─ Medium scope           → short word (count, buf)
│                  └─ Package-level / wide   → descriptive (userAccountCount)
└─ Any name      → Check: does it repeat package name or context? If yes, shorten it

---

MixedCaps (Required)

Normative: All Go identifiers must use MixedCaps.

Underscores are allowed only in: test functions (TestFoo_InvalidInput), generated code, and OS/cgo interop.

---

Package Names

Normative: Packages must be lowercase with no underscores.

Short, lowercase, singular nouns. Avoid generic names like util, common, helper — prefer specific names: stringutil, httpauth, configloader.