Capitalization of filenames storing Python classes

Question

C++

I use a rigorous rule of capitalizing class names.

Over many years I tried to use the somewhat inconsistent rule of using lowercase names for the files—when writing in C++.

For example, class Stopwatch would be in the files stopwatch.hpp and stopwatch.cpp.

I am not sure at this point how or why I found that this is awkward, but I'm reasonably sure that it turned out to be. I use exactly the same case for the files. One benefit is that it helps avoid annoying issues in version control on OS X.

Python

PEP 8 recommends lowercase names for modules and packages. It makes no recommendations regarding filenames holding classes.

Is there such a recommendation or some best practices?

Vestpocket

See this similar question on Programmers. – Lamellar

"Best Practices" really relate to technical methods that have some objective evidence supporting their benefits. Naming conventions are rather arbitrary. – Barrio

It's best practice to group multiple classes in one module, so the module is normally not named after one class. – Gromyko

Why are you applying a Python style guide to C++? – Sp

@CaptainObvlious I wasn't. I inserted headings to make it clear. – Vestpocket

@Gromyko Ah! So that's the catch. I was also moving a rigorous rule I apply in C++ to Python: Never put two classes in the same file. – Vestpocket

Figured as much. I have removed the C++ tag since it doesn't apply here. – Sp

Answer 1

In python each file is a module so to follow PEP8 your code should be as follows

from stopwatch import Stopwatch

Therefore the file should be stopwatch.py

Elevon