Evaluation Criteria for Naming Concepts
Below is a list of criteria for what is a good name. Contributors of
glossary entries have been encouraged to reference these criteria when
proposing glossary entries. As an example of this use, the occurrence
of ``+E1'' in a glossary entry indicates that the name in question
satisfies criterion E1. Reversely, ``-E1'' indicates that E1 is not
satisfied. The criteria are sometimes conflicting, making the choice
of names a difficult and challenging task. While this list is
comprehensive, it is not complete.
- E1
- The naming of concepts should be orthogonal. Parallel
concepts should have parallel names.
- E2
- Names should be easy to write, i.e., they should be
short or possess a short acronym, should be easily
pronounced (the name or its acronym), and should be
appropriate for use in subscripts and superscripts.
- E3
- Already widely accepted names are preferred over new
names.
- E4
- Names should be open-ended in the sense that the name
of a concept should not prohibit the invention of a parallel
name if a parallel concept is defined.
- E5
- The creation of homographs and homonyms should be
avoided. Names with an already accepted meaning, e.g., an
informal meaning, should not be given an additional meaning.
- E6
- The naming of concepts should be conservative. No name
is better than a bad name.
- E7
- New names should be consistent with related and already
existing and accepted names.
- E8
- Names should be intuitive.
- E9
- Names should be precise.