Re: spaces (was: Provide a means to activate dynamically the debug traces)

[Bob Friesenhahn]

On Mon, 19 Jan 2009, Akim Demaille wrote:

> I have worked for years with the same set up as you, using an much TAB as is 
> possible.  But I read someday something that Jim wrote about this topic, in 
> which he was advocating the no-tab approach, and I was convinced.  What 
> changed my viewpoint was that (i) Jim is in favor of it, so it's good :)  and 
> (ii) because he did point out that it makes it really easier to discuss about 
> code in emails.  It is true that I have been disturbed and even annoyed by 
> tab vs. space in some patches that gave the impression of improper 
> indentation.
>
> Therefore, for a year or so, I am now using spaces only.

It is not necessary to use hard tabs.  They are a form of text 
compression which originated with anchient character terminals and 
typewriters.  Since many/most people have a habit of changing the 
meaning of TAB to something other than the standard 8 spaces, TAB 
causes a lot of formatting problems if TAB is used in conjunction with 
spaces.  Text editors have a very hard time agreeing on how to treat 
TAB and so when TAB is used, the text only appears correct for the 
person who wrote it.  For many years I have had my editor configured 
to always use spaces.  This ensures WYSIWYG for everyone involved.

Bob
======================================
Bob Friesenhahn
address@hidden, http://www.simplesystems.org/users/bfriesen/
GraphicsMagick Maintainer,    http://www.GraphicsMagick.org/