camelCase vs PascalCase
Understanding the key differences and when to use each naming convention
Quick Answer:
camelCase: First word lowercase, subsequent words capitalized. Example: myVariableName
PascalCase: Every word starts with uppercase. Example: MyClassName
What is camelCase?
camelCase is a naming convention where the first word starts with a lowercase letter, and each subsequent word starts with an uppercase letter, with no spaces or separators between words.
Examples of camelCase:
firstNameuserEmailAddresscalculateTotalPriceisUserLoggedIn
What is PascalCase?
PascalCase (also called UpperCamelCase) is a naming convention where every word, including the first one, starts with an uppercase letter, with no spaces or separators.
Examples of PascalCase:
FirstNameUserEmailAddressCalculateTotalPriceIsUserLoggedIn
Key Differences
| Aspect | camelCase | PascalCase |
|---|---|---|
| First Letter | Lowercase | Uppercase |
| Common Use | Variables, functions, methods | Classes, types, components |
| Example | getUserData() | UserProfile |
When to Use camelCase
Use camelCase for:
- Variables:
const userName = "John" - Function names:
function calculateTotal() - Method names:
user.getData() - Object properties:
{ firstName: "Jane" } - JavaScript/TypeScript variables (standard convention)
When to Use PascalCase
Use PascalCase for:
- Class names:
class UserAccount - React components:
function UserProfile() - TypeScript interfaces:
interface UserData - Constructors:
new CustomerOrder() - C#, Java class names (language convention)
Language-Specific Conventions
JavaScript & TypeScript
- Variables, functions: camelCase
- Classes, interfaces, React components: PascalCase
C# & Java
- Classes, methods, properties: PascalCase
- Local variables: camelCase
Python
- Variables, functions: snake_case (not camelCase)
- Classes: PascalCase
Best Practices
- Be consistent: Stick to your language's conventions
- Descriptive names:
getUserEmailis better thangetUE - Follow team standards: Match your codebase style
- Use linters: Tools like ESLint can enforce naming conventions
Quick Conversion
Need to convert between camelCase and PascalCase? Use our free tool:
Conclusion
Both camelCase and PascalCase are essential naming conventions in programming. The key difference is the first letter: lowercase for camelCase, uppercase for PascalCase. Use camelCase for variables and functions, and PascalCase for classes and types. Following these conventions makes your code more readable and maintainable.