Am I the Only One?

BigE

By far the most popular format for open and close braces seems to be:

if ($foo) {
.
.
.
}

This goes for functions as well.

I hate this because I for one am prone to leaving out a closing brace here and there. I find in difficult to find the missing brace using this format because the braces do not line up.

I way prefer:

if ($foo)
{
.
.
.
}

This way I can more quickly and easily visually line up my braces and at least have a sporting change of spotting the missing one. I also find it more visually pleasing to read code formatted this way.

As I seem to be the only one who does this I am prepared to admit that the issue is mine alone, just curious as to what the rest of the world thinks.

-E

Jasp182

I couldn't agree more. The "classic" way was forced on me in school, but as soon as I started writing code on my own I totally abandoned it. That and abbreviated variables...can't stand those either.

LordShryku

Position of braces is irrelevant for me. I could use either one. Finding my missing brace comes from my indentations.

LordShryku

Position of braces is irrelevant for me. I could use either one. Finding my missing brace comes from my indentations.

Jason_Batten

I think that...

if($moo){
  something
}else{
  somethingelse
}

Is confusing.

I find...

if($moo)
{
     something
}
else
{
     somethingelse
}

Much easier to read.

vaaaska

It's a matter of preference. I also think the editor has some bearing. I do things as in Example 1 - which I think are clearly easier to read in the below example.

I've invluded some of my current messy desktop for added entertainment value. 😉

bpat1434

I think the editor has a lot to play a part, as well as personal preference.

I know that in PHP Support Tickets (v1.9) the original coder wrote his code as:

IF($foo)
    {
    IF($bar)
        {
        echo 'BAR!!';
        }
    ELSE
        {
        echo 'No BAR';
        }
    }

I know I personally like the whole
if($foo)
{
echo 'FOO';
}
syntax, but it really doesn't matter any more.

Now, I used to use a simple editor with syntax highlighting, then I tried out the Zend Studio. Wow... makes this easier. Like, for example:
As you code, if you open a bracket or parenthesis, it highlights those that correspond to eachother. This visually helps you out.

Here's a small screen-shot of Zend Studio 5:

It's a personal decision. You can be assured you're not the only one, and I'm sure there are plenty of other styles out there that people use and we don't hear about.

~Brett

Weedpacket

By this survey your conventions are about average.

Ah, but do you use tabs or spaces?!

bpat1434

Weedpacket: Always opening a new can of worms by asking an open ended question instead of answering the one asked...

Tsk Tsk Tsk....lol

~Brett

Jason_Batten

I like tabs, they better space chuncks of code 🙂

Plus with TextPad you can set it to auto-indent and TAB is easier to press than the space bar 2 or 4 times... right 😉

goldbug

Real programmers code everything on one line, white space be damned! 😃

vaaaska

goldbug wrote:
Real programmers code everything on one line, white space be damned! 😃

Whatdidyousay?I'vegoneblind.

Jason_Batten

You didn't escape that single quote, naughty boy :p

bpat1434

'OMGWTFLMFAO!whyintheworldwouldanyonewanttohavealloftheircodeononelinewithoutwhitespace'.'itwoudlbeliketotallyweird!!';

~Brett

Merve

I like

if($blah) {
moo();
} else {
poo();
}

the best.