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But they're used for different things. We could probably get it down to two though (not using their real names, but what I suggest they could be called for simp
by ghusto 3y ago
But they're used for different things. We could probably get it down to two though (not using their real names, but what I suggest they could be called for simplicity):
- The hyphen. Use it for minus and concatenation, and anywhere you need something that looks like a dash ;)
— The dash. Used to break up a sentence — mid flow no less! — and that's all. In some ways the opposite of the hyphen
And that's it, you can throw the rest away. Nobody uses them outside of fussy books, and even then the people reading them wouldn't notice their absence.
- layer8 3y ago> Use it for minus and concatenation Hyphen and minus usually have a different vertical position, because hyphens should be positioned relative to the x height, whereas minus should be consistent with plus and positioned relative to the digit height. In addition, minus signs are substantially wider than hyphens (again, like the plus sign). Minus width is often similar to en-dash width. You want minus signs to be like the plus sign without its vertical bar, but you don’t want the plus sign and hyphen to have the same width, or same vertical position. That would just make at least one of them look awkward in context.
- ghusto 3y agoI understand there are subtle differences, but for me at least they aren't noticeable enough. i.e. that they matter less than the benefit that would be reaped from having just these two symbols. Sounds like you disagree, and the differences would really stick out for you?
- perilunar 3y ago> Nobody uses them outside of fussy books En-dashes are used all the time (correctly) to indicate number ranges. The hyphen is too small, and just looks wrong for this use-case. e.g. 0–100 vs 0-100.