Kebab Vs Snake Case? The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Between Them

In the realm of programming, naming conventions play a crucial role in enhancing code readability, maintainability, and consistency. Among the most prevalent naming conventions are kebab case and snake case, both of which involve separating words in identifiers using hyphens (-) or underscores (_), respectively. This blog post delves into the intricacies of kebab vs snake case, providing a comprehensive guide to their usage and best practices.

Kebab Case: A Hyphenated Approach

Kebab case, also known as hyphenated case or dash case, employs hyphens to separate words in identifiers. This naming convention is widely used in web development and configuration files, particularly in CSS, HTML, and YAML. For instance, a CSS class named “my-custom-class” would adhere to kebab case.

Advantages of Kebab Case

• Improved readability: Hyphens visually separate words, making identifiers easier to read and comprehend, especially for non-native English speakers.
• Web compatibility: Kebab case is natively supported in web technologies such as CSS and HTML, simplifying styling and markup.
• Consistency: It ensures uniformity in naming conventions across different programming languages and technologies.

Disadvantages of Kebab Case

• Potential for typos: Hyphens can be easily overlooked or mistyped, leading to errors in identifiers.
• Limited support: Some programming languages and tools may not fully support kebab case, which can result in naming inconsistencies.

Snake Case: An Underscore-Based Alternative

Snake case, also known as underscore case, utilizes underscores to separate words in identifiers. This naming convention is commonly found in Python, Ruby, and other programming languages. An example of snake case would be the Python variable “my_custom_variable.”

Advantages of Snake Case

• Wide language support: Snake case is widely supported by most programming languages and development tools.
• Improved readability: Underscores provide a clear separation between words, enhancing readability and comprehension.
• Error avoidance: Underscores are less likely to be mistyped or confused with other characters, reducing the risk of errors.

Disadvantages of Snake Case

• Visual clutter: Underscores can make identifiers appear cluttered and visually less appealing than kebab case.
• Potential for name collisions: Underscores are also used for other purposes in programming, which can lead to name collisions and confusion.

When to Use Kebab Case

• Web development (CSS, HTML, YAML)
• Configuration files
• Command-line arguments
• File names
• Database column names

When to Use Snake Case

• Python, Ruby, and other programming languages
• Variable names
• Function names
• Class names
• Module names

Best Practices for Kebab vs Snake Case

• Choose one naming convention and stick to it consistently throughout your project.
• Use lowercase letters for all words in identifiers.
• Avoid using numbers or special characters in identifiers.
• Keep identifiers concise and descriptive.
• Use underscores or hyphens to separate words clearly.

Beyond Kebab and Snake Case

While kebab case and snake case are the most common naming conventions, there are other variations to consider:

• Camel case: Words are concatenated without separators. (e.g., myCustomClass)
• Pascal case: Similar to camel case, but the first letter of each word is capitalized. (e.g., MyCustomClass)
• Hungarian notation: Prefixes are used to indicate the type or purpose of variables. (e.g., strMyCustomVariable)

In a nutshell: Choosing the Right Case

The choice between kebab case and snake case ultimately depends on the specific programming language, technology, and team preferences. Both naming conventions have their advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to select the one that best aligns with the project’s requirements and promotes code clarity. By adhering to best practices and considering the nuances of each naming convention, developers can ensure consistency, readability, and maintainability in their code.

Questions You May Have

Q: Which naming convention is better, kebab case or snake case?
A: The choice between kebab case and snake case is subjective and depends on the specific context and preferences. Both naming conventions have their advantages and disadvantages.

Q: Can I use both kebab case and snake case in the same project?
A: It’s generally not recommended to mix naming conventions within a single project, as it can lead to inconsistencies and confusion. Choose one convention and stick to it throughout the project.

Q: What about other naming conventions like camel case or Pascal case?
A: While kebab case and snake case are the most common naming conventions, there are other variations such as camel case and Pascal case. The choice of naming convention depends on the specific programming language, technology, and team preferences.