Date: Thu, 30 May 1996 13:52:42 +0100 (BST) From: Paul Richards <p.richards@elsevier.co.uk> To: rnordier@iafrica.com (Robert Nordier) Cc: thorpej@nas.nasa.gov, coredump@nervosa.com, proff@suburbia.net, chat@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Indentation styles Message-ID: <199605301252.NAA00083@cadair.elsevier.co.uk> In-Reply-To: <199605291822.UAA00765@eac.iafrica.com> from "Robert Nordier" at May 29, 96 08:22:41 pm
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In reply to Robert Nordier who said > > (Moved to chat.) Since we're in chat... > > Companies have coding style standards largely because they pay people to > put up with them. _Maybe_ a free OS project shouldn't have the same > because it doesn't necessarily do to treat volunteers like the hired help. Companies have coding standards because it's the only way to ensure that the next guy to look at the code has a chance of working out what the hell is going on. That's the only reason for the things and we *try* and maintain a coding standard in FreeBSD for the same reason. If only the original author is able to comfortably read the code then it's a nightmare to maintain and there's no guarantee that author will be part of the project for ever. I think most of the original team were all KNF coders anyway so most of the code has stayed in good shape but as the project has grown so the coding styles have become more varied. There *IS* a style guide with quite well thought out rules but it doesn't seem like that many people are aware of it. > I agree standards are a Good Thing, but possibly FreeBSD should rather > promote stylistic diversity in the virtual workplace. :) Mostly it should > depend on how everyone feels.... Mostly it depends on whether you can be bothered to try and herd sheep. -- Paul Richards. Originative Solutions Ltd. (Netcraft Ltd. contractor) Elsevier Science TIS online journal project. Email: p.richards@elsevier.co.uk Phone: 0370 462071 (Mobile), +44 (0)1865 843155
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