[linux-dvb] Re: Coding style (was: Re: Re: cinergyT2: which kernel/usb module to use?)

[Hamish Moffatt <hamish@cloud.net.au>]

On Mon, Nov 29, 2004 at 04:39:01AM +0100, Oliver Endriss wrote:
> w-thiel@gmx.net wrote:
> > if (something) {
> > 	doit();
> > } else {
> > 	that();
> > 	and_that();
> > }
> > IMHO, this is perfectly readable.
> 
> Anyway, I prefer something like this:
> 
> | if (something)
> |	doit();
> | else
> | {
> | 	that();
> |	and_that();
> | }

I had this argument with a computer science prof when I was a student
(a few years ago now). He argued for the former, I for the latter (with
the braces on separate lines).

His argument was that the braces are for the compiler's benefit only; a
human gets the block structure by looking at the indenting instead.
Lines just with opening/closing braces just spread out the code and mean
you fit less code on-screen. He convinced me.

I note that the Python guys have gone one step further and made the
compiler follow the indents.

Braces around a single statement are good for safety (eg Perl requires
them). Did you mean to say that the kernel guys don't allow it?

Hamish
-- 
Hamish Moffatt VK3SB <hamish@debian.org> <hamish@cloud.net.au>