Aesthetics of Code: Formatting as Art

Code is read far more often than it is written. The visual structure of your source files communicates intent as much as the logic itself. Beautiful code is not vanity — it is a tool for comprehension.

Symmetry and Alignment

Well-aligned code creates visual patterns that the eye can follow instantly:

// Beautiful: aligned assignments
const char *name    = "void_walker";
int         age     = 0xFF;
float       entropy = 3.14f;
bool        alive   = true;

// Ugly: random spacing
const char *name = "void_walker";
int age = 0xFF;
float entropy = 3.14f;
bool alive = true;

Vertical Rhythm

Group related statements together and separate groups with blank lines. This creates a visual rhythm that mirrors the logical structure:

// Parse input
char *input = read_line(stdin);
Token *tokens = tokenize(input);

// Build AST
Node *ast = parse(tokens);
validate(ast);

// Generate output
Code *code = compile(ast);
emit(code, stdout);

Naming as Poetry

Variable names should tell a story. Compare:

// Cryptic
int x = fn(a, b);

// Clear
int total_price = calculate_discount(base_price, membership_level);

The Rules

• Functions should fit on one screen.
• Each function should do exactly one thing.
• Comments explain why, not what.
• Consistent style matters more than any particular style.

When you format code with care, you are not wasting time — you are investing in every future reader, including your future self.