Question

Let’s say I have a method, Foo(). There are only certain times when Foo() is appropriate, as determined by the method ShouldFooNow(). However, there are many times when the program must consider if Foo() is appropriate at this time. So instead of writing:

if ShouldFooNow():
   Foo()

everywhere, I just make that into one function:

def __name():
    if ShouldFooNow():
       Foo()

What would be a good name for this method? I’m having a hard time coming up with a good convention. IfNecessaryFoo() is awkward, particularly if Foo() has a longer name. DoFooIfShould()? Even more awkward.

What would be a better name style?

Answer 1

I think you’re pretty close. Put the action/intent at the head of the method name, for easier alphabetic searching. If I were writing something like that, I’d consider

FooIfNecessary()
FooIfRequired()

Say, for instance,

ElevatePermissionsIfNecessary()