Proper file naming

Maintain data integrity: Managing and documenting your data throughout the entire project will allow you and others to understand and more easily use your data in the future. This tool provides step by step help in creating data management plans tailored to the specific requirements of major U.

To sign in to the DMPTool as a Princeton researcher, click login in the upper right hand corner and select Princeton University from the institution drop down menu. This allows you to create very descriptive file names that help you easily locate your files when you need them.

The long file names allowed in Windows XP still require you to separate the file name from the file extension which describes the file type using a period. When you save a file in Windows XP using a long file name, an 8.

Before Windows, files were saved using a name that could only be up to eight characters in length. The same is also true if you skip using concise file names. Even with a great file naming template, you will only be left out with overly long file names. File name elements are the words that you use when you name your files. They can be a combination of individual items that perfectly describes the file and its purpose. Remember to avoid using determiners when naming a file to make your file names simpler.

Just like any other implementation, an effective naming convention should undergo a development cycle. Proper planning, implementation, and maintenance are needed in order to create and maintain an effective naming scheme. Even though there is no ultimate naming convention scheme that will apply to everyone, there are guidelines in which you can use to create or improve an existing naming convention 5 6 7 8 9.

When naming a file or folder, it is always a good idea to minimize file name element usage for better readability. A file name must be clear, concise, and easy to read and understand. Below are some of the most popular ways that you can use in order to delimit your file name elements. Whatever your desired approach, you should always remember to make it simple and consistent. No one likes a messy file name delimiter. Sometimes, you accidentally craft overly long file names.

While it is true that using a descriptive file name is a good move, you should always keep in mind that having a concise file name is better compared to a longer one. This will allow you to sort files by simpler. In addition, using last-name-first will help you cut overly long and complicated first names from taking over your file names. Also, when handling dates as part of the file name element, you should also consider the following format:.

Using both general and specific keywords will help you and other users locate the files easier. Apart from that, these keywords will assist you in immediately uncovering the relationship between your files. Even though there is no hard rule on how general or specific keywords can be used, having simple and concise keywords will help improve your file naming scheme. Following a two-digit number format will help you avoid sorting problems. Most of the time, computers are sorting one and two-digit numbers in a weird way.

If you give your computer numbers 1 to 10 for sorting, it will put the number 10 just right after the number 1. To avoid this, keep in mind to use a two-digit or more numbers whenever dealing with numbered file names. File versioning helps you keep track of the state of the current document. It assists you in distinguishing which files are of a newer copy.

When using file versioning, remember to follow the prior guideline on numbers and use a two or three-digit number. Though file versions can be very helpful in keeping tabs on the file changes, using them can sometimes be cumbersome and messy. Therefore, put the most important information first.

If you anticipate wanting to find a file by date, then put the date first. The file name should be descriptive and provide just enough contextual information.

Example : For my images, I want to know date, sample ID, and image number for that sample on that date. Determine the characters you will use to separate each piece of metadata in the file. Many computer systems cannot handle spaces in file names, so do not use spaces!

Example : I will use underscores to separate metadata and dashes between parts of my sample ID. Naming conventions should be documented so that others in your lab or department can follow this standard. Data Carpentry Lesson: File organization for reproducible research.