When to Use Hyphen/ Kebab Case?
Hyphen case (Kebab case) is essential where clear, standardized, and space-free but easily understandable naming is essential. Below are ten scenarios when the Hyphen Case is not only necessary but commonly employed:
1. URLs and Web Paths: Hyphen Case is widely used in URLs and web paths, making them more readable and SEO-friendly.
Example:
/user-profile/user-settings/preference-config
2. CSS Classes and IDs: In web development, Hyphen Case is commonly used for naming CSS classes and IDs for styling web elements.
Example:
.header-menu, #content-wrapper
3. File Names in URLs: When naming files for web resources, Hyphen Case helps create clean and SEO-friendly URLs.
Example:
image-gallery.jpg
4. Command-Line Options: Hyphen Case is used for specifying command-line options in many software applications.
Example:
--verbose-mode, -h
5. HTML Attributes: In HTML, Hyphen Case is employed for attributes like data attributes.
Example:
data-user-id="123"
6. RESTful API Endpoints: RESTful APIs often use Hyphen Case for endpoint URLs, ensuring clear and readable resource paths.
Example:
/api/v1/user-profiles
7. Variable Naming: Hyphen Case is often used for variables and object properties names in many programming languages to enhance code readability.
Example:
user-data, element-width
8. Markdown and Documentation: When writing documentation or markdown files, Hyphen Case is used for section headers and links.
Example:
#getting-started, [link-to-page]
9. SEO and Keywords: For SEO purposes, using Hyphen Case in URLs and keywords can improve search engine ranking.
Example:
best-laptops-under-500
10. File and Directory Naming: When organizing files and directories, Hyphen Case helps maintain consistency and readability.
Example:
project-files, user-profile-images
In these scenarios, Hyphen/ Kebab Case offers a clean and recognizable format, enhancing readability, maintainability, and compatibility across web development, programming languages, and various contexts. Choosing Hyphen Case for your naming needs ensures that your text is free from spaces or special characters that might otherwise lead to inconsistencies and complications.