Can git automatically switch between spaces and tabs?

Question

I use tabs for indentation in my python programs, but I would like to collaborate (using git) with people who use spaces instead.

Is there a way for git to automatic

Answer 1

Very useful info for everyone using GitHub (or other similar service)

~/.gitconfig

[filter "tabspace"]
    smudge = unexpand --tabs=4 --first-only
    clean = expand --tabs=4 --initial
[filter "tabspace2"]
    smudge = unexpand --tabs=2 --first-only
    clean = expand --tabs=2 --initial

Then I have two files: attributes

*.js  filter=tabspace
*.html  filter=tabspace
*.css  filter=tabspace
*.json  filter=tabspace

and attributes2

*.js  filter=tabspace2
*.html  filter=tabspace2
*.css  filter=tabspace2
*.json  filter=tabspace2

Working on personal projects

mkdir project
cd project
git init
cp ~/path/to/attributes .git/info/

That way, when you finally push your work on github, it won't look silly in the code view with 8 space tabs which is default behavior in all browsers.

Contributing to other projects

mkdir project
cd project
git init
cp ~/path/to/attributes2 .git/info/attributes
git remote add origin git@github.com:some/repo.git
git pull origin branch

That way you can work with normal tabs on 2 space indented projects.

Of course you can write similar solution for converting from 4 space to 2 space which is the case if you want to contribute to projects published by me and you tend to use 2 spaces while developing.