Is there a general rule that code in the code editor should not be wider that 72 columns?

Question

Possible Duplicates:
The 80 column limit, still useful?
Studies on optimal code width?

I do not remember where I read that. That would make it easier to print out the code.

Answer 1

I think it's more of a historical reason related to Punch cards.

Answer 2

Please see:

Studies on optimal code width?

Do you still limit line length in code?

The 80 column limit, still useful?

Answer 3

That's just leftover from the 80 column text window days. (and punch cards before that!)

However, since lines do get harder to read the longer they get, it does make sense to limit the line length of your code, and 70-80 columns is very widely used, not just in code, but in other media like webpages, email, books.

Varies, of course, to a pretty wide degree. Stackoverflow, for example, is using about 100 character wide posts.

Answer 4

Related question

Is there a valid reason for enforcing a maximum width of 80 characters in a code file, this day and age?

Answer 5

back in the olden days, monitors used to have 80 columns per line.. to have code lines not exceeding this length became a convention for the sake of convenience...the practice has got carried forward with time for no specific reason

Answer 6

it's all about code style

python recommends 80 columns of code. it has to do with the punch card era