.. meta::
   :description: AI overview of Loewe et al. (2017) — Evolvix BEST Names for semantic reproducibility across code2brain interfaces, the scientific foundation for POST naming conventions.
   :keywords: Evolvix, BEST Names, code2brain, semantic reproducibility, naming complexity, semantic rot, Flipped Programming Language Design, StableMeaning, POST system, LLoL, ResearchCity, key papers
   :og:card:title: 2017 — Evolvix BEST Names<br>Loewe et al.
   :og:card:description: Defines code2brain interfaces and BEST Names (Brief, Explicit, Summarizing, Technical) — the scientific foundation for the POST naming system used throughout the LLoL project.


.. include:: /_templates/include-file/page-prefix.rst


.. title:: 2017 — Evolvix BEST Names


****************************************************************************************************
Loewe et al. (2017) — Evolvix BEST Names for Semantic Reproducibility
****************************************************************************************************

*The scientific foundation for the POST system and naming conventions used throughout the LLoL project --- 34 co-authors demonstrating the collaborative research effort behind Evolvix.*


.. admonition:: Download the original document (PDF)
   :class: note

   `Loewe et al. (2017) — Evolvix BEST Names — PDF (2.7 MB) </_file/pdf/gnp/mmv3/dusty-deep-data/loewe-researchcity-key-papers/loewe-et-al-2017-study-evolvix-best-names-code2brain-vs-semantic-rot-with-xtras-95page.pdf>`__
   — 95 pages (with extensive Supporting Information), CC BY / :doc:`Jonah License with CC0 Public Domain </license/joli/index>`

   Filename: ``loewe-et-al-2017-study-evolvix-best-names-code2brain-vs-semantic-rot-with-xtras-95page.pdf``

   `WebP preview (256 KB) </_file/pdf/gnp/mmv3/dusty-deep-data/loewe-researchcity-key-papers/loewe-et-al-2017-study-evolvix-best-names-code2brain-vs-semantic-rot-with-xtras-95page.webp>`__


.. image:: /_file/pdf/gnp/mmv3/dusty-deep-data/loewe-researchcity-key-papers/loewe-et-al-2017-study-evolvix-best-names-code2brain-vs-semantic-rot-with-xtras-95page.webp
   :alt: Cover page of Loewe et al. (2017) — Evolvix BEST Names for semantic reproducibility
   :width: 100%
   :align: center


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--- Overview AI-generated by dv_ClaOp46_ExhB_2026m04d14 ---Start---


Abstract
========

This paper, published in the **Annals of the New York Academy of
Sciences** (2017, vol. 1387, pp 124--144), defines **code2brain (C2B)
interfaces** as maps between meaning and naming syntax. It introduces
the **Evolvix BEST Names** concept --- four naming dialects designed for
different audiences and use cases:

- **B** = Brief --- short names for quick reference
- **E** = Explicit --- unambiguous names for precise communication
- **S** = Summarizing --- descriptive names for overview contexts
- **T** = Technical --- formal names for computational processing

The paper shows how **naming complexity** can be navigated via BEST Names
to fight **semantic rot** --- the gradual degradation of meaning when
names are reused, abbreviated, or context-shifted without systematic
tracking. It introduces the **Flipped Programming Language Design**
approach (designing languages from the user's cognitive needs outward
rather than from the machine inward) and tests concepts on the **Project
Organization Stabilizing Tool (POST)** system.

The paper also presents the concept of **StableMeaning (StM)** pointing
to **StableContent** --- a framework for ensuring that references remain
meaningful over time even as the content they point to evolves.

With **34 co-authors**, this paper demonstrates the large collaborative
research effort behind the Evolvix project at the University of
Wisconsin--Madison.


Broader Significance (Claude's Assessment)
============================================

This paper is **directly relevant** to the infrastructure used throughout
the LLoL project:

1. **Scientific foundation for POST.** The POST system used to organize
   all content in the Good News Pack, the Balospe.com website, and the
   Evolvix ecosystem is built on the BEST Names principles defined in
   this paper. Every POST code, every AIMS label, every naming convention
   traces back to this peer-reviewed scientific work.

2. **Code2brain interfaces.** The C2B concept --- that the interface
   between human understanding and computer syntax is a critical design
   challenge --- anticipates current discussions about AI-human
   communication, prompt engineering, and semantic alignment. The paper
   was published before the current AI boom but addresses the same
   fundamental problem.

3. **Semantic rot as a systemic risk.** The paper's analysis of how
   naming ambiguity accumulates over time (semantic rot) parallels the
   BABL analysis of how over-simplification leads to over-complication
   and eventual over-reach. BEST Names are a concrete engineering
   response to a BABL-type degradation pattern.

4. **34 co-authors.** The large author list reflects LLoL's collaborative
   research approach at UW--Madison, including students, postdocs, and
   faculty across multiple departments. This demonstrates the breadth of
   the Evolvix research effort.

5. **Open access (CC BY).** Published under Creative Commons Attribution
   license, making this foundational work freely available for building
   upon.


Who This Document Is For
=========================

.. list-table::
   :widths: 25 75
   :header-rows: 1

   * - Audience
     - Why This Document Matters
   * - **Software engineers**
     - Introduces a systematic approach to naming in code (BEST Names)
       that addresses the pervasive problem of naming ambiguity in
       software projects.
   * - **Computational scientists**
     - Defines code2brain interfaces and shows how semantic
       reproducibility can be achieved through principled naming
       conventions.
   * - **Science communicators**
     - The BEST Names framework (Brief, Explicit, Summarizing,
       Technical) provides a practical tool for communicating the same
       concept to different audiences.
   * - **LLoL project contributors**
     - The scientific peer-reviewed basis for the POST system, AIMS
       labels, and naming conventions used throughout the Good News Pack
       and Balospe.com.
   * - **AI/HCI researchers**
     - The code2brain interface concept anticipates current challenges
       in human-AI communication and semantic alignment.


Key Concepts at a Glance
==========================

.. list-table::
   :widths: 30 70
   :header-rows: 0

   * - **Code2brain (C2B) interface**
     - The map between computational naming syntax and human meaning
       --- the critical design challenge in scientific software
   * - **BEST Names**
     - Four naming dialects: Brief, Explicit, Summarizing, Technical
       --- designed for different audiences and use cases
   * - **Semantic rot**
     - The gradual degradation of meaning when names are reused,
       abbreviated, or context-shifted without tracking
   * - **Flipped Programming Language Design**
     - Designing languages from the user's cognitive needs outward
       rather than from the machine inward
   * - **POST (Project Organization Stabilizing Tool)**
     - The organizational system tested in this paper; now used
       throughout the LLoL project
   * - **StableMeaning (StM)**
     - A framework for ensuring references remain meaningful over time
       as content evolves
   * - **Evolvix**
     - The simulation and naming framework within which BEST Names
       were developed and tested


Document Information
=====================

.. list-table::
   :widths: 30 70
   :header-rows: 0

   * - **Document ID**
     - Key Paper 18 (Dusty Deep Data, loewe-researchcity-key-papers/)
   * - **Full title**
     - Evolvix BEST Names for semantic reproducibility across code2brain
       interfaces
   * - **Authors**
     - Laurence Loewe, Katherine S. Scheuer, Seth A. Keel, Vaibhav Vyas,
       Ben Liblit, Bret Hanlon, Michael C. Ferris, John Yin, Ines Dutra,
       Anthony Pietsch, Christine G. Javid, Cecilia L. Moog, Jocelyn Meyer,
       Jerdon Dressel, Brian McLoone, Sonya Loberger, Arezoo Movaghar,
       Morgaine Gilchrist-Scott, Yazeed Sabri, Dave Sescleifer,
       Ivan Pereda-Zorrilla, Andrew Zietlow, Rodrigo Smith,
       Samantha Pietenpol, Jacob Goldfinger, Sarah L. Atzen,
       Erika Freiberg, Noah P. Waters, Claire Nusbaum, Erik Nolan,
       Alyssa Hotz, Richard M. Kliman, Ayalew Mentewab, Nathan Fregien,
       Martha Loewe
   * - **Journal**
     - Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1387 (2017) 124--144
   * - **DOI**
     - `10.1111/nyas.13192 <https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13192>`__
   * - **Year**
     - 2017 (published online 2016)
   * - **License**
     - CC BY (Open Access) / :doc:`Jonah License with CC0 Public Domain </license/joli/index>`
   * - **Pages**
     - 95 (with extensive Supporting Information)
   * - **Part of**
     - Good News Pack MMv3, Dusty Deep Data / Key Papers collection
   * - **PDF size**
     - 2.7 MB
   * - **WebP size**
     - 256 KB

Related documents in the Good News Pack:

- :doc:`James et al. (2014) — Reproducibility@XSEDE <james-2014-reproducibility>` (computational reproducibility workshop)
- :doc:`Loewe (2016) — EvoSysBio Encyclopedia <loewe-2016-systems-evosysbio>` (the EvoSysBio framework Evolvix implements)


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