diff --git a/grade/grading/form/guide/db/services.php b/grade/grading/form/guide/db/services.php
index 88ea5fda701..545558c96f7 100644
--- a/grade/grading/form/guide/db/services.php
+++ b/grade/grading/form/guide/db/services.php
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ defined('MOODLE_INTERNAL') || die;
 $functions = [
     'gradingform_guide_grader_gradingpanel_fetch' => [
         'classname' => 'gradingform_guide\\grades\\grader\\gradingpanel\\external\\fetch',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Fetch the data required to display the grader grading panel, ' .
             'creating the grade item if required',
         'type' => 'write',
@@ -35,7 +34,6 @@ $functions = [
     ],
     'gradingform_guide_grader_gradingpanel_store' => [
         'classname' => 'gradingform_guide\\grades\\grader\\gradingpanel\\external\\store',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Store the grading data for a user from the grader grading panel.',
         'type' => 'write',
         'ajax' => true,
diff --git a/grade/grading/form/rubric/db/services.php b/grade/grading/form/rubric/db/services.php
index 08b90a960f9..7cdd0bda39c 100644
--- a/grade/grading/form/rubric/db/services.php
+++ b/grade/grading/form/rubric/db/services.php
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ defined('MOODLE_INTERNAL') || die;
 $functions = [
     'gradingform_rubric_grader_gradingpanel_fetch' => [
         'classname' => 'gradingform_rubric\\grades\\grader\\gradingpanel\\external\\fetch',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Fetch the data required to display the grader grading panel, ' .
             'creating the grade item if required',
         'type' => 'write',
@@ -35,7 +34,6 @@ $functions = [
     ],
     'gradingform_rubric_grader_gradingpanel_store' => [
         'classname' => 'gradingform_rubric\\grades\\grader\\gradingpanel\\external\\store',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Store the grading data for a user from the grader grading panel.',
         'type' => 'write',
         'ajax' => true,
diff --git a/lib/db/services.php b/lib/db/services.php
index 0b7f5949432..6c95c4c2d1a 100644
--- a/lib/db/services.php
+++ b/lib/db/services.php
@@ -289,7 +289,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ],
     'core_calendar_get_calendar_export_token' => [
         'classname'     => 'core_calendar\external\export\token',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'description'   => 'Return the auth token required for exporting a calendar.',
         'type'          => 'read',
         'services'      => array(MOODLE_OFFICIAL_MOBILE_SERVICE),
@@ -817,14 +816,12 @@ $functions = array(
     ),
     'core_files_delete_draft_files' => array(
         'classname' => 'core_files\external\delete\draft',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Delete the indicated files (or directories) from a user draft file area.',
         'type'        => 'write',
         'services' => array(MOODLE_OFFICIAL_MOBILE_SERVICE),
     ),
     'core_files_get_unused_draft_itemid' => array(
         'classname' => 'core_files\external\get\unused_draft',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Generate a new draft itemid for the current user.',
         'type'        => 'write',
         'services' => array(MOODLE_OFFICIAL_MOBILE_SERVICE),
@@ -840,7 +837,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ),
     'core_form_dynamic_form' => array(
         'classname' => 'core_form\external\dynamic_form',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Process submission of a dynamic (modal) form',
         'type' => 'write',
         'ajax' => true,
@@ -908,7 +904,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ),
     'core_grades_grader_gradingpanel_point_fetch' => [
         'classname' => 'core_grades\\grades\\grader\\gradingpanel\\point\\external\\fetch',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Fetch the data required to display the grader grading panel for simple grading, ' .
             'creating the grade item if required',
         'type' => 'write',
@@ -917,7 +912,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ],
     'core_grades_grader_gradingpanel_point_store' => [
         'classname' => 'core_grades\\grades\\grader\\gradingpanel\\point\\external\\store',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Store the data required to display the grader grading panel for simple grading',
         'type' => 'write',
         'ajax' => true,
@@ -925,7 +919,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ],
     'core_grades_grader_gradingpanel_scale_fetch' => [
         'classname' => 'core_grades\\grades\\grader\\gradingpanel\\scale\\external\\fetch',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Fetch the data required to display the grader grading panel for scale-based grading, ' .
             'creating the grade item if required',
         'type' => 'write',
@@ -934,7 +927,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ],
     'core_grades_grader_gradingpanel_scale_store' => [
         'classname' => 'core_grades\\grades\\grader\\gradingpanel\\scale\\external\\store',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Store the data required to display the grader grading panel for scale-based grading',
         'type' => 'write',
         'ajax' => true,
@@ -1558,7 +1550,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ),
     'core_output_load_fontawesome_icon_system_map' => array(
         'classname' => 'core\external\output\icon_system\load_fontawesome_map',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Load the mapping of moodle pix names to fontawesome icon names',
         'type' => 'read',
         'loginrequired' => false,
@@ -1749,7 +1740,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ),
     'core_user_search_identity' => array(
         'classname' => '\core_user\external\search_identity',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Return list of users identities matching the given criteria in their name or other identity fields.',
         'type' => 'read',
         'capabilities' => 'moodle/user:viewalldetails',
@@ -2635,7 +2625,6 @@ $functions = array(
 
     'core_block_fetch_addable_blocks' => array(
         'classname'     => 'core_block\external\fetch_addable_blocks',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'description'   => 'Returns all addable blocks in a given page.',
         'type'          => 'read',
         'capabilities'  => 'moodle/site:manageblocks',
@@ -2711,7 +2700,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ],
     'core_table_get_dynamic_table_content' => [
         'classname' => 'core_table\external\dynamic\get',
-        'methodname' => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Get the dynamic table content raw html',
         'type' => 'read',
         'ajax' => true,
@@ -2719,7 +2707,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ],
     'core_xapi_statement_post' => [
         'classname'     => 'core_xapi\external\post_statement',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Post an xAPI statement.',
         'type'          => 'write',
@@ -2729,7 +2716,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ],
     'core_contentbank_delete_content' => [
         'classname'     => 'core_contentbank\external\delete_content',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Delete a content from the content bank.',
         'type'          => 'write',
@@ -2738,7 +2724,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ],
     'core_contentbank_rename_content' => [
         'classname'     => 'core_contentbank\external\rename_content',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Rename a content in the content bank.',
         'type'          => 'write',
@@ -2747,7 +2732,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ],
     'core_contentbank_set_content_visibility' => [
         'classname'     => 'core_contentbank\external\set_content_visibility',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Set the visibility of a content in the content bank.',
         'type'          => 'write',
@@ -2756,7 +2740,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ],
     'core_create_userfeedback_action_record' => [
         'classname'     => 'core\external\record_userfeedback_action',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Record the action that the user takes in the user feedback notification for future use.',
         'type'          => 'write',
@@ -2765,7 +2748,6 @@ $functions = array(
     ],
     'core_payment_get_available_gateways' => [
         'classname'   => 'core_payment\external\get_available_gateways',
-        'methodname'  => 'execute',
         'description' => 'Get the list of payment gateways that support the given component/area',
         'type'        => 'read',
         'ajax'        => true,
diff --git a/lib/upgrade.txt b/lib/upgrade.txt
index 5a31aa433ba..3de48ed9063 100644
--- a/lib/upgrade.txt
+++ b/lib/upgrade.txt
@@ -118,6 +118,8 @@ information provided here is intended especially for developers.
 * The behat transformation 'string time to timestamp' no longer supports datetime format. If provided, the format must
   be strftime compatible. Example:
     - I should see "##tomorrow noon##%A, %d %B %Y, %I:%M %p##"
+* External functions implementation classes should use 'execute' as the method name, in which case the
+  'methodname' property should not be specified in db/services.php file.
 
 === 3.10 ===
 * PHPUnit has been upgraded to 8.5. That comes with a few changes:
diff --git a/lib/upgradelib.php b/lib/upgradelib.php
index 2b7898a5309..35c1cc8c2c0 100644
--- a/lib/upgradelib.php
+++ b/lib/upgradelib.php
@@ -1217,6 +1217,7 @@ function external_update_descriptions($component) {
         $function = $functions[$dbfunction->name];
         unset($functions[$dbfunction->name]);
         $function['classpath'] = empty($function['classpath']) ? null : $function['classpath'];
+        $function['methodname'] = $function['methodname'] ?? 'execute';
 
         $update = false;
         if ($dbfunction->classname != $function['classname']) {
@@ -1266,7 +1267,7 @@ function external_update_descriptions($component) {
         $dbfunction = new stdClass();
         $dbfunction->name       = $fname;
         $dbfunction->classname  = $function['classname'];
-        $dbfunction->methodname = $function['methodname'];
+        $dbfunction->methodname = $function['methodname'] ?? 'execute';
         $dbfunction->classpath  = empty($function['classpath']) ? null : $function['classpath'];
         $dbfunction->component  = $component;
         $dbfunction->capabilities = array_key_exists('capabilities', $function)?$function['capabilities']:'';
diff --git a/media/player/videojs/db/services.php b/media/player/videojs/db/services.php
index e96d97f2a4d..56339a4d8fd 100644
--- a/media/player/videojs/db/services.php
+++ b/media/player/videojs/db/services.php
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ defined('MOODLE_INTERNAL') || die;
 $functions = [
     'media_videojs_get_language' => [
         'classname'     => 'media_videojs\external\get_language',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'get language.',
         'type'          => 'read',
diff --git a/mod/glossary/db/services.php b/mod/glossary/db/services.php
index 1584e012a48..2614b9143c5 100644
--- a/mod/glossary/db/services.php
+++ b/mod/glossary/db/services.php
@@ -164,7 +164,6 @@ $functions = array(
 
     'mod_glossary_delete_entry' => [
         'classname'     => 'mod_glossary\external\delete_entry',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Delete the given entry from the glossary.',
         'type'          => 'write',
@@ -173,7 +172,6 @@ $functions = array(
 
     'mod_glossary_update_entry' => [
         'classname'     => 'mod_glossary\external\update_entry',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Updates the given glossary entry.',
         'type'          => 'write',
@@ -182,7 +180,6 @@ $functions = array(
 
     'mod_glossary_prepare_entry_for_edition' => [
         'classname'     => 'mod_glossary\external\prepare_entry',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Prepares the given entry for edition returning draft item areas and file areas information.',
         'type'          => 'read',
diff --git a/mod/h5pactivity/db/services.php b/mod/h5pactivity/db/services.php
index 46d45b1bdea..4da90f53536 100644
--- a/mod/h5pactivity/db/services.php
+++ b/mod/h5pactivity/db/services.php
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ defined('MOODLE_INTERNAL') || die;
 $functions = [
     'mod_h5pactivity_get_h5pactivity_access_information' => [
         'classname'     => 'mod_h5pactivity\external\get_h5pactivity_access_information',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Return access information for a given h5p activity.',
         'type'          => 'read',
@@ -37,7 +36,6 @@ $functions = [
     ],
     'mod_h5pactivity_view_h5pactivity' => [
         'classname'     => 'mod_h5pactivity\external\view_h5pactivity',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Trigger the course module viewed event and update the module completion status.',
         'type'          => 'write',
@@ -46,7 +44,6 @@ $functions = [
     ],
     'mod_h5pactivity_get_attempts' => [
         'classname'     => 'mod_h5pactivity\external\get_attempts',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Return the information needed to list a user attempts.',
         'type'          => 'read',
@@ -55,7 +52,6 @@ $functions = [
     ],
     'mod_h5pactivity_get_results' => [
         'classname'     => 'mod_h5pactivity\external\get_results',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Return the information needed to list a user attempt results.',
         'type'          => 'read',
@@ -64,7 +60,6 @@ $functions = [
     ],
     'mod_h5pactivity_get_h5pactivities_by_courses' => [
         'classname'     => 'mod_h5pactivity\external\get_h5pactivities_by_courses',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Returns a list of h5p activities in a list of
             provided courses, if no list is provided all h5p activities
@@ -75,7 +70,6 @@ $functions = [
     ],
     'mod_h5pactivity_log_report_viewed' => [
         'classname'     => 'mod_h5pactivity\external\log_report_viewed',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Log that the h5pactivity was viewed.',
         'type'          => 'write',
@@ -83,7 +77,6 @@ $functions = [
     ],
     'mod_h5pactivity_get_user_attempts' => [
         'classname'     => 'mod_h5pactivity\external\get_user_attempts',
-        'methodname'    => 'execute',
         'classpath'     => '',
         'description'   => 'Return the information needed to list all enrolled user attempts.',
         'type'          => 'read',
diff --git a/payment/gateway/paypal/db/services.php b/payment/gateway/paypal/db/services.php
index f1986c6ba44..0d2a3abddb8 100644
--- a/payment/gateway/paypal/db/services.php
+++ b/payment/gateway/paypal/db/services.php
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ defined('MOODLE_INTERNAL') || die();
 $functions = [
     'paygw_paypal_get_config_for_js' => [
         'classname'   => 'paygw_paypal\external\get_config_for_js',
-        'methodname'  => 'execute',
         'classpath'   => '',
         'description' => 'Returns the configuration settings to be used in js',
         'type'        => 'read',
@@ -35,7 +34,6 @@ $functions = [
     ],
     'paygw_paypal_create_transaction_complete' => [
         'classname'   => 'paygw_paypal\external\transaction_complete',
-        'methodname'  => 'execute',
         'classpath'   => '',
         'description' => 'Takes care of what needs to be done when a PayPal transaction comes back as complete.',
         'type'        => 'write',