Is there a valid reason for enforcing a maximum width of 80 characters in a code file, this day and age? [closed]

Answer 1

Super-long lines are harder to read. Just because you can get 300 characters across on your monitor doesn't mean you should make the lines that long. 300 characters is also way too complex for a statement unless you have no choice (a call that needs a whole bunch of parameters.)

I use 80 characters as a general rule but I'll go beyond that if enforcing it would mean putting a line break in an undesirable location.

Answer 2

In the Linux coding standard, not only do they keep the 80 character limit, but they also use 8 space indentation.

Part of the reasoning is that if you ever reach the right margin, you should consider moving an indentation level into a separate function.

This will make clearer code because regardless of indentation lengths, it is harder to read code with many nested control structures.

Answer 3

I use the the advantage of bigger screens to have multiple pieces of code next to eachother.

You won't get any ammo from me. In fact, I'd hate to see it changed since in emergencies I still see rare cases where I need to change code from a text-console.

Answer 4

I try and keep my lines below 80 columns. The strongest reason is that i often find myself using grep and less to browse my code when working at the command-line. I really don't like how terminals are breaking long source lines (they after all aren't made for that job). Another reason is that i find it looks better if everything fits into the line and isn't broken by the editor. For example having parameters of long function calls nicely aligned below each other and similar stuff.

Answer 5

The origin of 80-column text formatting is earlier than 80-column terminals - the IBM punch card dates back to 1928! This is reminiscent of the (apocryphal) story that the US railway gauge was determined by the width of chariot wheels in Roman Britain.

I sometimes find it a bit constricting, but it makes sense to have some standard limit, so 80 columns it is.

Here's the same topic covered by Slashdot.

And here's an old-school Fortran Statement:

Answer 6

You are not the only person who is going to maintain your code.

The next person who does might have a 17" screen or might need large fonts to read the text. The limit has to be somewhere and 80 chars is the convention due to previous screen limitations. Can you think of any new standard (120) and why it is a good idea to use that other then "that's what fits on my monitor at Xpt font?"

Remember, there are always exceptions to every rule so it you have a particular line or block of code that makes sense to be more than 80 chars then be a rebel.

But take the time first to think "is this code really that bad that it can not live within 80 chars?"