Alignment Nazi?

Hi!

I am an Alignment Nazi. When I see a block of code like this:

         final int         counts              = result.getCounts();
         final int         periodMicros        = result.getMicros();
         final Rate        rate                = new Rate(new
Duration(periodMicros, Duration.MICROSECOND), counts);
         final Current     reagentIntensity    =
upsElectrometer.getValue();
         final Current     productIntensity    =
dwsElectrometer.getValue();
         final Temperature flowtubeTemperature =
flowtubeThermocouple.getValue();
         final Pressure    flowtubePressure    =
flowtubePressureGauge.getValue();
         final FlowRate carrierFlow = reagent.getIon().isPositive() ?
pcgFlowMeter.getValue() : nicgFlowMeter.getValue();
         final FlowRate sampleFlow   = sampleFlowMeter.getValue();
         final Duration reactionTime = getReactionTime(carrierFlow);
         final Lut ICF_LUT =
CONFIG.getLut(DefaultConfigIfc.ConfigId.ION_ICF_LUT);

I find it so much easier to read when I change it to this:

         final int         counts              = result.getCounts();
         final int         periodMicros        = result.getMicros();
         final Rate        rate                = new Rate(new
Duration(periodMicros, Duration.MICROSECOND), counts);
         final Current     reagentIntensity    =
upsElectrometer.getValue();
         final Current     productIntensity    =
dwsElectrometer.getValue();
         final Temperature flowtubeTemperature =
flowtubeThermocouple.getValue();
         final Pressure    flowtubePressure    =
flowtubePressureGauge.getValue();
         final FlowRate    carrierFlow         =
reagent.getIon().isPositive() ? pcgFlowMeter.getValue() :
nicgFlowMeter.getValue();
         final FlowRate    sampleFlow          =
sampleFlowMeter.getValue();
         final Duration    reactionTime        =
getReactionTime(carrierFlow);
         final Lut         ICF_LUT             =
CONFIG.getLut(DefaultConfigIfc.ConfigId.ION_ICF_LUT);

Of course, this works so long as you use a monospaced font in your
editor.

The question I want to ask is "does my need for visual clarity excuse my
fetish for alignment of equals signs in blocks of code"?

My personal justification is that I can more easily assimilate the block
of code if the left-hand side of variable names is clearly separated
from the right-hand side of assignments. I don't know why my brain finds
this easier, it just does. What amazes me, however, is how many of those
I have worked with over the years have no problem with the the former
code layout.

Perhaps I should write a book (or blog) on the merits of "Pretty Code".

Regards,

Gordon