Can't we just move on from simple text files and use something better to hold our source code? Why always such an unwieldy medium? Seriously, why do we have to use ASCII text files anyway? Couldn't we put something in place that would get rid of the parts we don't want the compiler to see? A pre-processor that gets rid of all the formatting, comments, or whatever else we want to put into the files. They would become smart documents that we happen to compile down to something the computer could run. Personally, I'm tired of all the debate about spaces, tabs, and other formatting. How about every programmer sets their own rules for how they like to see the code. They check check it back in and voila, the file is stored in a standardized format. The next developer could see the code just how they like it.
Spaces and tabs are invisible. What we need is more formatting like we have in word processing documents. Let me put an image into the code. A link to a document. Anything. When it compiles, only the programming parts will be seen by the compiler. Until then though, we are all wasting a lot of time dealing with a file format that is beyond ancient. On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 10:50 AM, Lyle <[email protected]> wrote: > Reinier's Rules (ha!) are the best argument I've seen for tab characters > infiltrating source files, but when the bits hit the disk I agree with Ben. > For collaborative work, it's often tough enough to get people to indent > logically and consistently with just *one* type of whitespace character. > > -Lyle > > On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 9:35 AM, B Smith-Mannschott <[email protected] > > wrote: > >> On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 14:41, Reinier Zwitserloot <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> > I don't understand the tabs v. spaces war. There's clearly a right >> > answer: >> > >> > Tabs for indents. Spaces for spacing. >> > >> That's my thinking too! And yet I'm still an acolyte of "tabs are >> evil". It's too easy to screw up in practice. I have little confidence >> that most programmers are aware enough of what white space they are >> typing to stick to these rules consistently. >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "The Java Posse" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]<javaposse%[email protected]> > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/javaposse?hl=en. > -- Robert Casto www.IWantFreeShipping.com Find Amazon Filler Items easily! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Java Posse" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/javaposse?hl=en.
