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80 characters seems like such an arbitrary restriction. Once upon a time we were limited to 80 characters but we were also limited to monochrome ASCII text. J
by ratsbane 14y ago
80 characters seems like such an arbitrary restriction. Once upon a time we were limited to 80 characters but we were also limited to monochrome ASCII text. Just as syntax highlighting improves readability, I think the occasional use of longer lines where appropriate improves readability - the shape of the code gives your eye additional clues about where you are in a section of code, allows you to have more lines on the screen at once, find what you're looking for faster, and isolates details that aren't crucial in getting the big picture. E.g. - inline lambdas or anonymous functions, strings, etc.
When I work on a codebase with formatting standards I try to follow them. This is 2013, though, and when I work on my own stuff I format it to get the most readability on my Macbook or 32" 1080p desktop screen, not a VT100 from 1987.
- jimktrains2 14y ago> When I work on a codebase with formatting standards I try to follow them. This is 2013, though, and when I work on my own stuff I format it to get the most readability on my Macbook or 32" 1080p desktop screen, not a VT100 from 1987. And then someone working on your code on an eeePC will have a great time!
- ratsbane 14y agoIf you're doing a lot of development on an eeePC then line length may not be your biggest obstacle.
- jimktrains2 14y agoWho are you to choose when and how I code. eeePCs work well in commuting situations.
- tomsthumb 14y agoVisual Studio 2010 ain't quite zippy on a netbook. They are fantastic, but they do have notable limits.
- jimktrains2 14y agoSure, but I dev in vim, linux, and the associated compiler/interpreter. A netbook is quite a handy for that type of dev.
- cabirum 14y agoThe options are: use smaller font size, enable word-wrap, buy a higher-resolution display (or two), use your IDE to auto-format code according to your preferences. I don't really see anybody using eeeePC for serious coding in 2013.
- jimktrains2 14y ago> use smaller font size Makes the code harder to read > enable word-wrap Makes the code harder to read > buy a higher-resolution display Increases cost and I can't take an external on the subway/train. > use your IDE to auto-format code according to your preferences So, make it 80 to 120 chars per line myself > I don't really see anybody using eeeePC for serious coding in 2013. Because the year means sooooo much. Who are you to choose when and how I code.
- cabirum 14y ago> Who are you to choose when and how I code I'm asking the same question when 80 chars limit is enforced on me.
- jimktrains2 14y ago80 to 120 char has other advantages over just screen size. It's easier to read as well. Working on a team is giving and taking of everyone's capabilities. I've had to work on teams that use odd tabbing, but I do it because that's what others use.