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The indentation should be almost the same as any other language. Unless you have an aversion to consistent code-style. Python whitespace was only annoying for
by patejam 8y ago
The indentation should be almost the same as any other language. Unless you have an aversion to consistent code-style.
Python whitespace was only annoying for me years ago when it still had trouble handling tabs and spaces in the same file, and you would run into literally invisible bugs. I haven't run into that in a long time, though.
- rabidrat 8y agoIt's also basically impossible to cut-and-paste code from a web forum. Was that "else" from the inner or the outer "if"?
- gerdesj 8y agoThat could be considered a feature. At least you have to read what you have copied and pasted.
- rabidrat 8y agoThat's cute but I hope no one reading this thinks you are being serious. If they do, to wit: So many webforums strip leading indents from code. It's not like it looks right on the forum, and then gets inserted into your editor wrong. It's often not right on the source side either. So if you're trying to learn an algorithm from the Python code, you're SOL. This has happened to me.
- gerdesj 8y agoIt isn't cute at all and I am quite serious. It is an accident that Python syntax pitted against sufficiently unsophisticated code displayers causes copy n paste breakage. However, that breakage does mean that you have to at least read the code a bit. You either get to avoid a potential security flaw or gain a deeper understanding of an algorithm. Fixing syntax does not break your ability to learn an algorithm but it will get you closer to its description. With Python you are generally SIL not SOL.
- Retra 8y agoYou're not SOL. You just have to retype or reformat the code. Given that you're trying to learn, you should have started with that step anyhow. I've been writing Python for years and never had this problem.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- thedirt0115 8y agoI find this hard to believe. Searching for python copy paste indentation, the first page of results has everything from how to turn it on for various editors to how to turn it OFF for various editors (implying it's built-in to some). If you just gave up 5 seconds after pasting because it didn't look right or work immediately and you didn't even try looking for help... I dunno what to say.
- bsg75 8y agoI would suggest this is more of a forum software problem than a Python problem. Stripping indentation damages the readability of code in any language.
- lamontcg 8y agoAlso makes auto formatting very difficult when whitespace indentation doesn't just affect readability but syntax.
- sametmax 8y agoUse black. It just works.
- patejam 8y agoI have problems in a lot of languages copy-pasting code (why are the line numbers being copied!?), but yes this is another problem for this specific language.
- acdha 8y agoWhat editor are you using? This just works in VSCode, vim, TextMate, etc.
- int_19h 8y agoHow so? If the code was properly indented on the forum, it'll still be properly indented when you paste it. The only thing you'll need to do is to make sure that indentation of the entire pasted block is consistent with whatever's around it... but pretty much any editor these days, at least the ones meant for code, let you easily adjust indentation of an arbitrary selection (just highlight and Tab or Shift-Tab as needed).
- Doxin 8y agoMake sure you copy the whitespace on the first line as well and then it's just a case of indent/dedenting the whole section of pasted code to match.
- LBarret 8y agoyes, but that's so minor compared to the gain of a more readable syntax... really an edge case.
- gsich 8y agotabs would be much better, but unfortunately pep8 dictates spaces.
- zinckiwi 8y agoFor submissions to the language. For your own stuff, knock yourself out and tab away.