5.3 KiB
5.3 KiB
Naming Lexicon
Use this page as a vocabulary prompt when refining domain names. It is not a source of mandatory terms. Its purpose is to help you replace generic programmer language with more precise domain language.
Lifecycle and state
| Concept | Useful terms | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning | Initiate, Register, Onboard, Provision, Draft |
InitiateTransfer, ProvisionServer |
| Middle, active | Active, Pending, InFlight, Outstanding, Live, Provisional, Tentative |
OutstandingInvoice, ProvisionalBooking |
| Middle, paused | Suspended, Dormant, Held, Frozen |
AccountFrozen, DormantUser |
| Ending, good | Complete, Fulfill, Settle, Finalize, Resolve |
SettlePayment, FulfillOrder |
| Ending, bad | Fail, Reject, Decline, Abort, Revoke, Void, Expire |
VoidTransaction, JobFailed |
| Ending, neutral | Archive, Retire, Conclude, Terminate |
RetireProduct, TerminateSession |
Corrections and changes
| Concept | Useful terms | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Making correct | Rectify, Reconcile, Adjust, Correct, Align |
ReconcileInventory, RectifyBalance |
| Difference | Variance, Discrepancy, Delta, Offset, Deviance |
InventoryVariance, PriceDelta |
| Defect | Anomaly, Irregularity, Outlier, Malformation |
DetectAnomaly, SignalIrregularity |
Data and collections
| Concept | Useful terms | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Subset | Cohort, Segment, Batch, Cluster |
UserCohort, ProcessBatch |
| Summary | Digest, Manifest, Summary, Snapshot |
ShippingManifest, DailyDigest |
| Searching | Locate, Query, Scan, Inspect, Retrieve, Fetch, Filter, Sift |
LocateParcel, RetrieveRecords |
| Assigning | Allocate, Assign, Designate, Map |
AllocateResources, DesignateOwner |
| Communication | Notify, Alert, Dispatch, Broadcast, Deliver |
DispatchEmail, BroadcastEvent |
Verification and security
| Concept | Useful terms | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Checking | Validate, Verify, Authenticate, Authorize, Audit |
AuthorizePayment, AuditLog |
| Allowing | Grant, Permit, Enable, Whitelist |
GrantPermission, WhitelistIP |
| Blocking | Deny, Restrict, Revoke, Ban, Blacklist |
DenyEntry, RevokeCertificate |
| Subjects | Actor, Principal, Subject, Resource |
RequestActor, TargetResource |
Time and scheduling
| Concept | Useful terms | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Delaying | Defer, Postpone, Reschedule, Queue |
DeferExecution, PostponeMeeting |
| Recurring | Interval, Cadence, Frequency, Period |
BillingCadence, RefreshInterval |
| Deadlines | Deadline, Cutoff, Expiry, Threshold |
SubmissionCutoff, ExpiryDate |
Financial and transactional
| Concept | Useful terms | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Moving money | Transfer, Remit, Disburse, Deposit, Withdraw |
DisburseFunds, RemitTax |
| Allocating | Earmark, Reserve, Allocate, Encumber |
EarmarkFunds, EncumberBudget |
| Undoing | Revert, Rollback, Compensate, Refund |
CompensateTransaction |
Boundary, intent, and capability prompts
| Concept | Useful terms | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Caller intent | GetNextTask, CompleteTask, PlanProgress, AdvanceProgress, AssignWork |
getNextTask, completeTask, advanceStudentProgress |
| Capability and authority | Read, Write, Plan, Authorize, Approve, Administer |
ReadCurriculum, WriteCurriculum, ApproveEnrollment |
| Boundary meaning | Projection, Snapshot, Decision, Eligibility, Assignment, Progress |
CurriculumSnapshot, EnrollmentDecision, TaskAssignment |
| Implementation-shaped names to question | LessonRecord, Manager, Handler, Processor, Data, Info |
LessonManager, StudentInfo, TaskProcessor |
Compare alternatives before settling on a name
| Naming pressure test | Alternative 1 | Alternative 2 | Alternative 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progression unit | nextLesson |
nextAssignableUnit |
getNextTask |
| Completion action | markLessonComplete |
closeProgressUnit |
completeTask |
| Sequencing module | lessonSequencing |
progressUnitPlanner |
advanceStudentProgress |
Use these comparisons to expose hidden assumptions:
- does the name lock the model to one current concept?
- does it express caller intent or internal structure?
- is it naming a capability boundary or only an implementation detail?
Bounded seam prompts
| Seam concern | Useful terms | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Reviewable contract | Decision, Command, Event, Assignment, Plan, Result |
PlacementDecision, AssignTask, TaskPlanned |
| Protected invariant | Eligible, Authorized, Assignable, Settled, Balanced |
EligibleStudent, AssignableTask |
| Black-box boundary | Service, Workflow, Policy, Gateway, Repository |
StudentProgressWorkflow, AuthorizationPolicy |
At a bounded seam, prefer names that tell the reviewer:
- what the caller is trying to achieve
- what authority is being exercised
- what invariant or decision the boundary protects
Reminder
Prefer domain language from the real problem space over any generic lexicon. This page is a prompt, not a substitute for talking to a domain expert.