====== File naming ======
Digital files must have names that allow viewers to understand the purpose and content of the file. A user who offers a descriptive file name makes operations easier and, ultimately, saves clients' time and money. 

=== Definition ===
A "digital file" means any computer-readable document, regardless of file type or file extension, that is meant to be stored on the firm's Nextcloud database.

==== Naming conventions ====

Digital files should bear names that include the following categories of information, in descending order, 
  - the client and matter number to which the file belongs (omit placeholder zeroes);
  - a word or characters that describe the file's purpose;
  - an abbreviated date of the file's creation (where applicable or useful); 
  - a short description of the file's contents; and
  - the file extension (which is automatically generated by the computer--do not manually change file extensions).

For ease of reading, please render categories one (1), two (2), and three (3) in all capitals; category four (4) should be rendered in lowercase, unless the initial capital exception (//infra//) is applied.

=== Punctuation ===

File names should not contain blank spaces. Punctuation must be used to separate information in file names. Punctuate a file name using an underscore ( ''_'' ) or a dash ( ''-'' ). Do __not__ use a period in any part of the file name, save to separate the name from the file extension.

An underscore ( ''_'' ) should be used to separate the above categories of essential information. 

A dash ( ''-'') should be used to separate information or words that fall within the above categories of essential information. If many words are used in a description, the dash may be omitted in favour of initial capitals for each new word in the string.

Use a period ( ''.'' ) to separate the file extension from the rest of the string. 

==== Examples ====

=== Pleadings ===
//Pleadings may not require a description, for, in many cases, the file's purpose is sufficient. If, however, a pleading serves dual purposes (e.g. a defence and counterclaim), provide the main purpose (in our example, a defence) and indicate that a counterclaim is included in the description.//

''34-1_APPL_FEB-2-23.odt''

''43-1_DEFENSE_MAR-12-23_w-counterclaim.pdf''

=== Matter journal / notes to file ===
//Files included in the matter journal folder of a matter file do not require the client and matter numbers in the file name. They are instead sequentially numbered to preserve a chronological order of files in the matter journal.//

''1.MEETING_APR-18-23_attendance-resto.md''

''2.NOTES_APR-25-23_initial-review.md''