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Have you saved a file1 to your computer (or phone)? Have you searched endlessly through your email inbox / chat history to find that one file?

Importance of Naming Files

Introduction

We work with digital files everyday at various instances.

  1. We create new files when we capture a photo,
  2. We share files to friends, family, colleagues, etc.
  3. We save files that other people share with us.

What's in a Name?

Can you tell which files of the files below are important, and which can be deleted safely?

  • final.doc
  • new.pdf
  • download.jpeg
  • latest.xls

It could be photos, documents, financial statements, health reports, or any other information that we need. But, we store files with random or cryptic names, making it impossible to guess what they contain.

"We save files, because we want to find them later."


We do not need the files themselves. We only need the information inside the file(s). If we need them quickly, we need to be able to identify them quickly.


"The File Name is a clue to understand it's contents, without opening them."


Some Good Examples

  • organic-chemistry-notes.doc
  • 2024.12.10-internet-receipt.pdf
  • kaushik-passport-photo.jpeg
  • FY23-24-account-statement.xls

Isn't it easier to understand the files now? Next time I need to get my passport photo printed, I know exactly which file to share.

Footnotes

  1. Attribution: Pdf icons created by Good Ware - Flaticon ↩

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