When is a Java method name too long?

Just for a change, a non-subjective answer: 65536 characters.

A.java:1: UTF8 representation for string "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx..." is too long for the constant pool

;-)

A name in Java, or any other language, is too long when a shorter name exists that equally conveys the behavior of the method.

Some techniques for reducing the length of method names:

1. If your whole program, or class, or module is about 'skin care items' you can drop skin care. For example, if your class is called SkinCareUtils, that brings you to getNumberOfEligibleItemsWithinTransaction

2. You can change within to in, getNumberOfEligibleItemsInTransaction

3. You can change Transaction to Tx, which gets you to getNumberOfEligibleItemsInTx.

4. Or if the method accepts a param of type Transaction you can drop the InTx altogether: getNumberOfEligibleItems

5. You change numberOf by count: getEligibleItemsCount

Now that is very reasonable. And it is 60% shorter.