79 chars or more?

[AK]

On 08/17/2010 12:21 PM, Stefan Schwarzer wrote:
> On 2010-08-17 17:44, AK wrote:
>> On 08/17/2010 10:28 AM, Stefan Schwarzer wrote:
>>> I'd probably reformat this to
>>>
>>>             self.expiration_date = translate_date(
>>>               find(response, 'MPNExpirationDate').text,
>>>               '%Y-%m-%d', '%m%d%Y')
>>>
>>> or even
>>>
>>>             self.expiration_date = translate_date(
>>>               find(response, 'MPNExpirationDate').text,
>>>               '%Y-%m-%d',
>>>               '%m%d%Y')
>>>
>>> for consistency.
>>>
>>> This not only limits the width but also makes the nesting of
>>> the calls more visible.
>>
>> Doesn't this create the problem of functions growing too long to fit in
>> a screen? I think it's very useful to try to keep function size low
>> enough so that you can view the whole function without having to scroll
>> up and down. (even though that's not always possible) -ak
>
> I think I'd extract some part of the function into a new
> function then. In my opinion, the reasoning is similar to
> the case, "Can't I use two spaces per indentation level?
> That way I don't run so easily into the right margin if I
> have more than five indentations in a function." ;-)

I think to some extent it's a matter of taste. I bet most people would
agree that on the balance, 2-space indentations makes code much less
readable, despite saving a bit of space.

But let me ask you, would you really prefer to have:

>>>             self.expiration_date = translate_date(
>>>               find(response, 'MPNExpirationDate').text,
>>>               '%Y-%m-%d', '%m%d%Y')

(or the 4-line version of this above), even when it necessitates
creation of a new function, rather than have this code on two lines?

After all, I think it's a matter of balance between readability,
expressiveness and succinctness. If I split a function in two, that
still means that understanding the functionality of the code will
require scrolling around and looking at the second function. I guess
what I'm trying to say that we shouldn't just care about readability of
lines but also readability of functions and blocks of functionality
(that may include several functions that accomplish a single "task".)

  -andrei