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Asked: 2026-05-13T06:00:32+00:00

Suppose I wish to have 2 functions, one that generates a random integer within

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Suppose I wish to have 2 functions, one that generates a random integer within a given range, and one that generates a random double within a given range.

int GetRandomNumber( int min, int max );
double GetRandomNumber( double min, double max );

Notice that the method names are the same. I’m trying to decide whether to name the functions that or…

int GetRandomInteger( int min, int max );
double GetRandomDouble( double min, double max );

The first option has the benefit of the user not having to worry about which one they are calling. They can just call GetRandomNumber with integers or doubles and get a result.

The second option is more explicit in the names, but it reveals unneeded information to the caller.

I know this is petty, but I care about petty things.

Edit: How would C++ behave regarding implicit conversion.

Example: 

GetRandomNumber( 1, 1 );

This could be implicitly converted for the GetRandomNumber function for the double version. Obviously I don’t want this to occur. Will C++ use the int version before the double version?

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    I prefer your second example, it is explicit and leaves no ambiguity in interpretation. It is better to err on the side of being explicit in method names to clearly illuminate the purpose and function of that member.

    The only downside to your approach is that you have coupled the name of the method to the return type which is not ideal in the event that you want to change the return type of one of these methods. However in that case I would be better to add a new method and not break compatibility in your API anyways.

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