November 26, 2002
Plead to programmers

I ask, no, I beg if you do nothing else with your code, please, please, please format it properly.

I don't care if it works.
I don't care if there is error handling.
I don't care if it compiles.

I care if it's formatted properly.

Why?
Because re-formatting code just so I can read it takes me more time than fixing bugs in it.
That's why.

Indentation, spacing, break up long lines, logical variable names, avoid global variables, avoid duplication of code, avoid excessively long methods.

Thank you.

Posted November 26, 2002 07:33 PM in Java
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Comments
On November 26, 2002 07:46 PM Dan Isaacs added:

Damn you broads. First I gotta clean up my socks. Now I gotta clean up my code?

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On November 26, 2002 08:23 PM Techie2000 added:

Noted for future reference when I become a programmer...

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On November 26, 2002 10:26 PM rooneg added:

let me just add that while i'm obsessively anal about how i indent /my/ code, i really don't care how anyone else indents theirs, as long as it's consistent!

the entire file should use the same style people!

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On November 26, 2002 11:12 PM kasia added:

Oh heck, I don't care how they indent either, as long as they *do* indent and are consistent :)

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On November 27, 2002 08:43 PM wari added:

You could use python :) where indentation is necessary and resistance is futile.

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Trackbacks
Live from Tokyo: Tech Blog:Format your code
I'm convinced that inconsistent formatting and debates about which format to use are much bigger time waster than the gain or lack of productivity between one style or another.
(read more)
November 27, 2002 02:37 AM
markpasc.org:MLP, guest starring Neal Stephenson
I honestly didn't realize MLP *were* my initials.
(read more)
November 27, 2002 10:13 PM