What is the naming convention for methods and variables in Java?

In Java, the standard naming convention for methods and variables is to start with a lowercase letter. This convention, known as camelCase notation, dictates that the first letter of the variable or method is lowercase, and any subsequent words in the name start with an uppercase letter. For example, a variable or method might be named myVariable or calculateTotal.

This convention helps improve readability and maintainability of code, as it differentiates instance variables and methods from class names, which typically start with an uppercase letter. Sticking to these conventions allows developers to quickly understand the roles of different components in the code.

Using an all-uppercase naming style is typically reserved for constants, while using underscores for endings is not a common practice in Java method and variable naming. Starting with a capital letter is associated with class names, which is distinct from methods and variable conventions in Java.