Tabs vs. Spaces: The Never-ending Battle Beyond Code

Robert Truesdale
8 min readOct 10, 2023

“In the ever-evolving world of programming, one question continues to spark heated debates and divide developers: tabs or spaces?”

Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

Introduction
In the vast realm of software development, few topics have ignited as much passion, debate, and, at times, outright rivalry as the seemingly innocuous choice between tabs and spaces for code indentation. On the surface, it might appear as a mere stylistic preference, akin to choosing between serif and sans-serif fonts in design. However, delve a little deeper, and one quickly realizes that this choice transcends mere aesthetics. It touches upon the very ethos of coding practices, collaboration, and even the readability and maintainability of code.

The debate over tabs vs. spaces is not new. For decades, developers have ardently defended their preferred method of indentation, often with a fervor that rivals some of the most heated political debates. Some argue that tabs are more flexible, allowing each developer to set their preferred tab width, while others staunchly advocate for spaces, citing consistency across various platforms and editors. The intensity of these debates is a testament to the deep-seated beliefs and strong opinions held by both camps. As we journey through this article, we’ll explore the origins, merits, and demerits of each side, and perhaps…

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Robert Truesdale
Robert Truesdale

Written by Robert Truesdale

I craft impactful email courses for digital creators, seamlessly blending creativity with strategic business insights. Visit website https://roberttruesdale.com

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