Does Column Width of 80 Make Sense in 2018?
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Does Column Width of 80 Make Sense in 2018?
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Re: Does Column Width of 80 Make Sense in 2018?
#2We use 120 which seems to work fine even on small screens of about 11 inches.
Re: Does Column Width of 80 Make Sense in 2018?
#3Yes, I self limit to between 80 and 90 characters. Diffs can get hairy once you start routinely going over 100 characters. Also, it helps force me to limit complexity in my subroutines. In my opinion, using 120 characters is a smell that you're trying to do too much in a single line.
Re: Does Column Width of 80 Make Sense in 2018?
#4With my current 1440p screen the only way I can keep two files open side to side without going blind is to limit myself to 80 characters, the screen linked in the article is 1080p and they propose to keep three files open at 120 column width? That won't really work for me.
But maybe I'm getting old. :)
Re: Does Column Width of 80 Make Sense in 2018?
#5Yes, because you can split IDE tabs within the IDE still. 120 may be good too with increased resolutions but I like to keep my IDE on the same monitor.
Re: Does Column Width of 80 Make Sense in 2018?
#6In three different companies across three countries within the last decade I've seen development teams all settle on a 120 character limit with no protest from anyone. And this is a very good thing: it allows for descriptive names (extremely helpful for readability) and avoids unnatural line breaks such as within a comparison expression.
Re: Does Column Width of 80 Make Sense in 2018?
#7Most lines are like 20-30 characters wide, no matter the limit. So the wasted space will be almost the same, no matter the limit.
On the other hand with 120 limit every once in a while you have to read very long line, and with merge tools or big fonts you can have problems and have to scroll.
IMHO it's not worth it. 80 is ok.
Re: Does Column Width of 80 Make Sense in 2018?
#8We use 120 which seems to work fine even on small screens of about 11 inches.
120 on an 11 inch screen might be highly eyesight-dependent, especially if there is anything else on the screen at the same time. Not everyone worth hiring in the industry has optimal vision.
Re: Does Column Width of 80 Make Sense in 2018?
#9No.
Re: Does Column Width of 80 Make Sense in 2018?
#10We use 120 which seems to work fine even on small screens of about 11 inches.
120 on an 11 inch screen might be highly eyesight-dependent, especially if there is anything else on the screen at the same time. Not everyone worth hiring in the industry has optimal vision.
I just checked. I have a 17 inch laptop screen (uncommon and has to be sought for these days). To hit 120 characters on two terminals side-by-side requires 9pt font. That's definitely not something everyone can manage.
I think 120 might even be pushing the limits of conscientiousness.