Comments on: Python and the Horrendous Tab Character http://pthree.org/2007/01/31/python-and-the-horrendous-tab-character/ Linux. GNU. Freedom. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:48:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7-RC1 hourly 1 By: Replacing tabs with spaces in Python code | The Greatest Linux Blog on the Internets. http://pthree.org/2007/01/31/python-and-the-horrendous-tab-character/#comment-65397 Replacing tabs with spaces in Python code | The Greatest Linux Blog on the Internets. Sat, 18 Aug 2007 03:07:56 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/01/31/python-and-the-horrendous-tab-character/#comment-65397 [...] are various reasons why it’s a good idea to stick with using four spaces instead of a tab character in Python code. I’m not going to rehash that particular flamewar inducing arguement [...] [...] are various reasons why it’s a good idea to stick with using four spaces instead of a tab character in Python code. I’m not going to rehash that particular flamewar inducing arguement [...]

]]> By: Lonnie Olson http://pthree.org/2007/01/31/python-and-the-horrendous-tab-character/#comment-30857 Lonnie Olson Fri, 09 Feb 2007 05:04:07 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/01/31/python-and-the-horrendous-tab-character/#comment-30857 I have to disagree with you on this point. Mostly just to point out an alternative view. Tab characters are superior in two ways. 1. Technically - Tab characters take up less space in a file (fewer bytes). 2. Customizability - Any developer can set their editor to display the tabs at their preferred size, while retaining the integrity of the file. The only instances where using Tabs can cause a problem are those when a selfish developer chooses to force their opinion of the size of tab by replacing them with spaces. Unfortunately there are many selfish developers. That is also the only reason this debate exists at all. I will admit that as long as people choose to be selfish, this tabs vs spaces debate will cause pain for thousands of developers. Until we can resolve this selfishness, I understand the need to force standardization based on the majority's decision. I have to disagree with you on this point. Mostly just to point out an alternative view.

Tab characters are superior in two ways.
1. Technically - Tab characters take up less space in a file (fewer bytes).
2. Customizability - Any developer can set their editor to display the tabs at their preferred size, while retaining the integrity of the file.

The only instances where using Tabs can cause a problem are those when a selfish developer chooses to force their opinion of the size of tab by replacing them with spaces.

Unfortunately there are many selfish developers. That is also the only reason this debate exists at all. I will admit that as long as people choose to be selfish, this tabs vs spaces debate will cause pain for thousands of developers.

Until we can resolve this selfishness, I understand the need to force standardization based on the majority’s decision.

]]> By: Aaron http://pthree.org/2007/01/31/python-and-the-horrendous-tab-character/#comment-29381 Aaron Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:38:55 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/01/31/python-and-the-horrendous-tab-character/#comment-29381 Byron- I wasn't familiar with that. Luckily, the devs here all fill the tab with spaces. Matt- Exactly. If we are not all on the same page, then we need to be. Luckily, we are consistent. :) Byron-

I wasn’t familiar with that. Luckily, the devs here all fill the tab with spaces.

Matt-

Exactly. If we are not all on the same page, then we need to be. Luckily, we are consistent. :)

]]> By: matt harrison http://pthree.org/2007/01/31/python-and-the-horrendous-tab-character/#comment-29380 matt harrison Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:31:40 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/01/31/python-and-the-horrendous-tab-character/#comment-29380 Tabs are all over python code in the wild. There are often threads on comp.lang.python discussing the virtues of both tabs and spaces. The python standard (PEP 8) is to use spaces, but the most important thing is that you (and the other developers working on your code) are consistent. The annoyance comes in when you code with spaces and start coding on others code with tabs. Tabs are all over python code in the wild. There are often threads on comp.lang.python discussing the virtues of both tabs and spaces. The python standard (PEP 8) is to use spaces, but the most important thing is that you (and the other developers working on your code) are consistent.
The annoyance comes in when you code with spaces and start coding on others code with tabs.

]]> By: Byron Clark http://pthree.org/2007/01/31/python-and-the-horrendous-tab-character/#comment-29371 Byron Clark Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:10:39 +0000 http://www.pthree.org/2007/01/31/python-and-the-horrendous-tab-character/#comment-29371 You can also use the '-tt' option when running python to make any appearance of a tab character in otherwise space indented code throw an exception. You can also use the ‘-tt’ option when running python to make any appearance of a tab character in otherwise space indented code throw an exception.

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