In my first days as a UNIX user (mid 70's), operating at 110 baud, mechanical tabs were much faster than multiple spaces. And with now-laughably small disks, saving space in files was a consideration, too. Neither should matter now, but early training can be difficult to overcome.
I find it easier to read code when statements aren't split across multiple lines (and therefore sometimes across pages). So I'm now inclined to favor smaller tab-stops.
OK. So, I've been trying
to decide (for the last time, I swear) whether to use tabs or
spaces in my code... I did a quick pulse-check on the state of
argument and it appears to be alive and well in 2021. My question
for y'all is, was there a preference in the very early days or
not? I saw an article talking about the 20 year feud, but that's
not my recollection. In 1994, nobody agreed on this, but I'm sure
it predates my entree into the field. I'm thinking the history of
entab and detab are somehow related, but I've been wrong on these
sorts of thoughts before. What say you?
Will