Adem-
I have great interest in a parser-based code formatting tool. However, I
have doubt that using the compiler's parser is the best solution. So,
I'd like to discuss some of the issues surrounding this decision.
I'd like to get your ideas on the following problem. There are basically
two philosophies of code reformatting. These I'll call "reorganization"
and "rebuild".
Using the reorganization approach, the source file is largely retained
intact with some lines modified to enforce some formatting rules. The
idea is to keep everything as it is except those things that have
specifically been requested to be examined and modified. Minimal change
is called for. Parts of the source file that the parser does not
understand are left intact.
Using the rebuild approach, the source file is examined by the
reformatter, digested for content, and completely rewritten by the
reformatter according to its rules. Everything is re-written according
to the formatting rules so nothing can be included that the reformatter
does not understand. For example, any manually formatted details are
lost. The reformatter must know about and understand how to retain all
valuable content. The developer cannot add anything important that the
reformatter does not know how to handle.
Which approach do you think should be used?
I prefer the reorganization approach because I view source code as
carefully sculpted art. Others treat source code as essentially a
machine-generated intermediate representation of some abstract concepts
that can be transformed over and over again as needed. These people
would be more comfortable with the rebuild approach.
I'm just curious how you look at the problem because it has a big impact
on what parser is used. Of course, I'm also interested in everyone
else's viewpoint as well.
--
Doug C.
-----
A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?
A: Top-posting.
Q: What is the most annoying thing in e-mail?
--
_______________________________________________
Lazarus mailing list
Lazarus@lists.lazarus.freepascal.org
http://lists.lazarus.freepascal.org/mailman/listinfo/lazarus
