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Fixed width fonts let you quickly parse syntax. Syntax and semantics are equally important when reading code, whereas semantics are generally the only thing you
by dxhdr 8y ago
Fixed width fonts let you quickly parse syntax. Syntax and semantics are equally important when reading code, whereas semantics are generally the only thing you need for understanding the written language.
That said, I haven't seriously tried programming using variable width fonts; maybe it's a well-kept secret to digesting code. Or maybe it's like Hemp Milk, there's a reason it hasn't caught on.
- diegoperini 8y agoI don't know if variable width fonts are a help or a disaster but I've been using multiple fonts in a single editor window for quite a while and the productivity boost is huge. My choices are Operator Mono (to typeset keywords and math stuff) and Firecode (to typeset ligatures). You can find my custom Atom stylesheet here if you want to try. PS: The idea is not mine but I can't remember where I read the instructions about this editor setup, so Google is your friend. https://gist.githubusercontent.com/diegoperini/853d54c8873e7b068947587429770fa1/raw/21f83feced50ff281cc30bdc6ad71b5afde01841/styles.less https://gist.githubusercontent.com/diegoperini/853d54c8873e7...
- seanmcdirmid 8y agoThere is actually no evidence for that. Programmers in general seem to be faster with whatever they are used to. I personally have trouble parsing code in fixed width fonts versus proportional ones* because I’m used to the latter and the kerning of fixed width formatting annoys me. Keywords pop out easily with syntax highlighting in any case, making syntax pretty obvious. * to be fair, I’d have trouble with a bad proportional font like Times New Roman, but I’m sure many would have trouble with Courier New on the other side, the specific font matters.