Re: [PIC] Learning C

Yes, I think today, for some, it is a kind of "snob appeal" to use 
obscure code but decades ago code optimization was mostly done by the 
coder not the compiler. I think that is where some of it may have 
originated. Today the compiler can optimize much better than I can and 
most decent editor have auto-format. This not only makes the code more 
readable but far easier to debug. I frequently use "unnecessary" local 
variables knowing that the compiler will take them away. It makes the 
code much easier to follow if I need to come back to update the section. 
I actually discovered this by accident a long time ago. After making 
some obscure code much more readable the compiled size was unchanged. 
Personally, I think using obscure code is foolish.

Allen Mulvey

On 11/14/2024 8:57 AM, Clint Jay wrote:
>    David C Brown,<[email protected]>  wrote
>
>> Onew of the problems I have with trying to understand code examples in C
> is
>> that so many of them are incomprehensibly dense.
>>
> There is a faction among programmers who seem to enjoy swinging their
> appendages by writing the most impenetrable, dense code to somehow show off
> their "prowess" and sneer at anyone who can't decode their drivel.
>
> Tabs, spaces, empty lines cost nothing and it makes me think a lot less of
> the people who create code intended to make other people's lives harder.
>
>
> On Thu, 14 Nov 2024 at 12:35, RussellMc<[email protected]>  wrote:
>
>>   David C Brown,<[email protected]>  wrote
>>
>>> Onew of the problems I have with trying to understand code examples in C
>> is
>>> that so many of them are incomprehensibly dense.
>>>
>> When writing C++ code I formatted in a way which to me makes it far more
>>> readable than the normal manner of presentation.
>>
>> I place  { on the line following and then indent code following an Indian
>> it again for any other functions such as if / while / case ... .
>> The end result is code who's structure leaps out and grabs you. I started
>> off being somewhat surprised that this wasn't standard practice come to
>> accept that most people prefer density and obfuscation.
>> Apart from taking more space I can see no disadvantages and this approach
>> and for me the gains are substantial.
>>
>> I spent many decades working mainly in assembler and
>>   actually find it generally easier to see what's going on than in most
>> higher level languages.
>>
>>
>> Russell.
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>