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I have a Java class that handles import and export of data. It started out as a simple

private void export() { } private void import() { }

Of course, I wrote the export first, committed it, and then went on to write the import. But import is a keyword in Java - I can't use that as a function name. So I go back and rename both methods. I usually end up with 

private void doExport() { } private void doImport() { }

which is both ugly and feels contrived. What do you think of these names? Got any better suggestions?

Note: I'm asking now, because it's now happened thrice and that keyword is getting quite annoying.

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  • I realize this method is quite subjective. I hope it's not off-topic here. Commented Sep 29, 2010 at 23:48
  • This might be subjective, but it's still directly programming related, so I'd argue it belongs on StackOverflow and not here. Commented Sep 29, 2010 at 23:56
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    I don't think SO would appreciate this kind of question. Commented Sep 30, 2010 at 0:01
  • See meta.programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/350/…. You could change your question to match 1, your question might meet 2, I guess it will meet 3; it meets 4, 5 and 6... Commented Sep 30, 2010 at 1:03

2 Answers 2

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I would prefer something like this:

private void importData(){} private void exportData(){}

If you now would use this Class as an API you can do something like this:

dataUtil.importData();

With the CodeCompletion of the IDE, the differences are more visible if this methods wouldn't start the same way.

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  • I agree, this is much better than doImport/doExport for most cases. Good answer! Commented Oct 5, 2010 at 23:28
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This is the same problem as with all keywords in programming languages. But the problem is easy, just chose another name.

How about this?

private void dataExport() { } private void dataImport() { }
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