"The Narrative of Names: Tolkien’s Mythology and Software Engineering Best Practices"

As both a fan of Tolkien's works and a software engineer, I've always been fascinated by the weight that names carry in both storytelling and programming. In both fields, naming is more than a technical task—it’s an art form. This reflection explores how these two seemingly different worlds intersect when it comes to crafting meaningful names.

Tolkien and the Power of Names

For Tolkien, names were not just labels—they carried deep meaning and were integral to his mythology. His process of naming places, characters, and events in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion was grounded in his expertise in philology and his passion for languages. These names resonated with the history and nature of what they represented, reflecting the identity of characters or the atmosphere of locations.

• Characters: Names like Gandalf, Sauron, or Frodo transcend mere identification. They encapsulate the characters' roles and essence within the story. For example, Gandalf derives from Old Norse, meaning "elf of the staff" (gandr, staff + álfr, elf). This suggests a protective figure wielding a staff, reinforcing his role as a wise guide and guardian in Middle-earth.
• Places: Locations such as Rivendell and Moria evoke specific feelings through their sound and structure. Rivendell, with its soft, flowing syllables, suggests a serene refuge, while Moria’s harsh, abrupt sound conveys a sense of darkness and peril.
• Events: The names of battles and ages, like The Battle of the Five Armies, carry narrative weight, projecting a sense of epic struggle and destiny—central themes in Tolkien’s work.

Just as characters in Tolkien’s world are shaped by their names, elements in code are brought to life through clear, descriptive naming.

The Importance of Naming in Programming

In software development, the names assigned to functions, variables, classes, and objects are critical. Clear, descriptive naming not only helps others (and your future self) understand what the code does but also builds a coherent narrative within the system.

• Functions and Variables: Just as Tolkien’s names reflect the essence of his characters, function and variable names should clearly describe their purpose. A name like calculateTotal is far more descriptive than calc1, helping developers understand the code's purpose instantly.
• Objects, Classes, and Architecture: Objects and classes act like characters within the program’s narrative. If named vaguely or generically, they fail to communicate their function, making the code difficult to follow. Meaningful names ensure that each element conveys its role in the system. Similarly, protocols, design patterns, and system architectures rely on clear, consistent naming. Just as Tolkien maintained coherence across his mythology, programmers must ensure that names across modules and services form a cohesive, understandable system.

In both cases, the narrative quality of naming provides a guide through complex systems, whether in literature or software.

The Narrative Nature of Both Disciplines

At their core, both storytelling and programming are acts of narrative creation. Tolkien built a universe where every name was tied to etymology, history, and purpose. Similarly, software engineers create digital worlds where every name is crucial for understanding the underlying logic and functionality.

In both realms, coherence is key. In storytelling, names must fit their historical and linguistic context. In programming, consistent and meaningful names are essential for readability and maintainability. A well-named function or class tells a story, guiding developers through its logic just as Tolkien’s names guide readers through his world.

Code as Art

Though software engineers write code primarily for functionality, this doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful, elegant, and even enjoyable to read. Like a well-told story, good code should be:

• Easy to remember and understand: Just as Tolkien’s names are memorable and resonant, well-named variables, functions, and classes should be intuitive and meaningful, making the code easy to follow for others or for your future self when revisiting it.
• Full of meaning and intention: Each line of code should be written with the same thoughtfulness Tolkien applied to his world. Clarity of purpose and the avoidance of ambiguity are key to making code readable and maintainable.

In this sense, code can be viewed as an art form—a blend of technical precision and creative expression. Thoughtful naming and structure don’t just improve functionality; they bring a form of narrative elegance to the work, making it both practical and aesthetically pleasing for those who interact with it.

Conclusion

For Tolkien, names were gateways to the soul of his characters, places, and events. For programmers, names are the gateways to understanding and functionality within a system. Both disciplines, though distinct in form, share a narrative structure where naming is not just a technical necessity but an integral part of creating a meaningful universe.

How do you approach naming in your work—whether you're crafting stories or building systems? I’d love to hear your thoughts.