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Patterns are good but the minutiae that most linters deal with aren’t that. A discussion over formatting rules is more often than not a distraction and a waste
by jrsj 6y ago
Patterns are good but the minutiae that most linters deal with aren’t that. A discussion over formatting rules is more often than not a distraction and a waste of time — if it’s not there, better discussion can come out of code review.
- vidarh 6y agoNotice how in these threads, the people who think that the specific formatting doesn't matter tends to be the ones supporting tools that tries to force a specific formatting. To me the formatting does matter. It is a major factor in how comprehensible a code-base is, and often having freedom to deviate from the expected rules to line things up in certain ways helps to convey patterns and similarity that matters.
- ysavir 6y agoThat differs from my opinion on the matter. If two programmers disagree over formatting, I want to learn the needs of each programmer and how those needs inform their formatting preference. Understanding each others needs, and being respectful of each others needs, is a primary component of good teamwork. Those needs aren't exposed when a linter prevents the variance from ever becoming clear.