[OT] Spaces/tabs (Was: simple display (from: GUI library for D))

[Jacob Carlborg]

On 2011-04-12 05:19, Jonathan M Davis wrote:
>> On 04/11/2011 08:13 AM, Jonathan M Davis wrote:
>>> They mix tabs and spaces. On some lines, they use spaces and on others
>>> they use tabs.
>>
>> Never seen this, not even once. Messing can only happen when one
>> copy-pastes from modules using spaces.
>
> As Steve pointed out, it frequently happens when you have multiple developers
> working on the same code. It may work with one developer who likes using tabs,
> but as soon as you get a mix of developers, you invariably get a mix of spaces
> and tabs unless _everyone_ involved is really careful, and that rarely
> happens. It's just too easy to use spaces without realizing that someone else
> used tabs or even that you yourself are using spaces, depending on your
> editor's settings.

How can it not be as easy to use tabs without realizing that someone 
else used spaces?

> Using only spaces and no tabs avoids the entire issue and is one of the major
> reasons (if not _the_ major reason) why it is incredibly common for coding
> standards to require spaces and prohibit tabs. Obviously, you _can_ use tabs
> if you're careful - especially if you're the only programmer involved - but
> it's just simpler to disallow tabs when you're dealing with a group of
> developers.
>
> - Jonathan M Davis


-- 
/Jacob Carlborg