Why spaces instead of tabs?

[ibc]

Sorry, I know this is not an "issue", but I wonder why the "standard" should force me to use spaces instead of tabs for indentation.

When using spaces, I'm forcing every one else to see my code as I like. In certain monitors/resolutions 2 spaces could be a bad choice.

By using tabs, anyone can configure his text editor to display tabs with the desired visual width (for example, 2 or 4 spaces), and we all are happy.

I've been never told about a real advantage of using spaces instead of tabs.

[LinusU]

Duplicate of #58

[ibc]

#58 is not just closed, but also locked (after just 6 comments). So no debate, right?

It is also so funny how #58 ends:

If you care a lot about tabs vs spaces, standard isn't for you.

I should not care about tabs vs spaces because you authors already did for me, right?

IMHO you should have chosen any other name for this library. This is not the "standard" of anything but the way you authors code, nothing else.

[feross]

I'll just leave this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsoOG6ZeyUI

You're right that tabs have some benefits. Spaces have some benefits too. The main issue with this topic (and why the previous issue was locked) is that this is not something that the maintainers of standard have any interest in debating. There are plenty of blog posts about why spaces are better than tabs if you want to go hunting for reasons.

You have the whole rest of the internet to debate the merits of spaces vs. tabs. This is not the place, sorry.

[ibc]

I already knew that video, so nice :)

OK, I just assume standardjs is not for me, and I respect your decision. Just:

Spaces have some benefits too

That's the only rationale I've found regarding spaces benefits: none (or undefined).

[feross]

The reason that standard prefers spaces is simple: The most popular way of indenting JavaScript is with spaces. There are people who have written about why spaces may be better, if you're interested: http://paul-m-jones.com/archives/2312

[ibc]

The two arguments in favor of spaces in that post are mainly wrong:

Inter-Line Alignment

Even when I use TAB for indentation, I do NOT use TAB for "inter-line alignment" but spaces. That's not "indentation" but "text decoration".

Line Length Recognition

Well, a problem if (as the post states) someone sets a virtual 8-space!! width for TAB...

[feross]

As mentioned before, I'm not interested in debating spaces vs. tabs.