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Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:49:49 +1100
Subject: Re: Using the Python Interpreter as a Reference
From: Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com>
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Xref: x330-a1.tempe.blueboxinc.net comp.lang.python:16368

On Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 11:54 AM, DevPlayer <devplayer@gmail.com> wrote:
> To me, I would think the interpreter finding the coder's intended
> indent wouldn't be that hard. And just make the need for consistant
> spaces or tabs irrevelent simply by reformatting the indent as
> expected. Pretty much all my text editors can.

The trouble with having a language declaration that "a tab is
equivalent to X spaces" is that there's no consensus as to what X
should be. Historically X has always been 8, and quite a few programs
still assume this. I personally like 4. Some keep things narrow with
2. You can even go 1 - a strict substitution of \t with \x20. Once you
declare it in your language, you immediately break everyone who uses
anything different.

ChrisA