On 80 columns should (not) be enough for everyone

[Stewart Gordon]

On 31/01/2011 17:54, Ulrik Mikaelsson wrote:
<snip>
> One special-case which often cause problems, is function-calls,
> especially "method"-calls. Roughly lines like: (note 3-level leading
> indent)
>              otherObj1.doSomethingSensible(otherObj2.internalVariable,
> this.config, this.context);
>
> At this point, I can see two obvious alternatives;
>              otherObj1.doSomethingSensible(otherObj2.internalVariable,
> this.config,
>                                            this.context);
> vs.
>              otherObj1.doSomethingSensible(otherObj2.internalVariable,
>                                            this.config,
>                                            this.context);

If only your newsreader were also set to wrap at 90, it would be clearer.

Why align the continuation lines with the open bracket?  I think the shortness of lines 
resulting therefrom is the root cause of what you say next:

> Both have advantages and problems. In the first alternative, you might
> miss the second argument if reading too fast, and in the second
> alternative, the vertical space can be quickly wasted, especially if
> the line get's just slightly too long due to many small arguments.
<snip>

If OTOH you stick to a standard number of spaces by which to indent, which generally 
allows multiple arguments to fit on one line

              otherObj1.doSomethingSensible(otherObj2.internalVariable,
                    this.config, this.context);

you don't lead people into the trap of seeing one argument per line.

That said, I've probably in my time done something similar to your example.  And at other 
times, I might do

              otherObj1.doSomethingSensible(
                otherObj2.internalVariable,
                this.config,
                this.context
              );

Stewart.