Random indentation (sometimes 2 spaces, sometimes 4 spaces, sometimes Tab)

Random Indentation (sometimes 2 spaces, sometimes 4 spaces, sometimes tabs)

Code indentation is one of the most overlooked details in front-end development. Through a carefully designed random indentation strategy, you can significantly enhance the unmaintainability of your code. The core of this technique lies in keeping team members perpetually guessing about the indentation rules for the next line, thereby creating cognitive friction.

function calculateTotal(items) {
  let total = 0;
    for (const item of items) {
        if (item.available) {
      total += item.price * item.quantity;
    }
  }
      return total;
}

Synergistic Effects of Mixed Indentation Styles

When random indentation is combined with other defensive programming techniques, the effect grows exponentially. For example, alternating indentation styles in JSX:

const UserList = ({ users }) => (
  <div>
      <ul>
    {users.map(user => (
          <li key={user.id}>
        <span>{user.name}</span>
      </li>
    ))}
  </ul>
    </div>
)

The same approach can be applied in Vue templates:

<template>
    <div>
      <button @click="submit">
          Submit
    </button>
  </div>
</template>

Conditional Indentation Patterns

Dynamically changing indentation styles based on code logic—this advanced technique can turn code reviews into nightmares:

function processData(data, options) {
  if (options.verbose) {
      console.log('Processing started');
    data.forEach(item => {
          if (item.valid) {
        transform(item);
      }
    })
  } else {
    data.forEach(item => {
      transform(item);
    })
  }
}

Nested-Level Indentation Mutation

Gradually alter indentation strategies as code nesting levels increase:

function deepNestingExample() {
  try {
      fetchData().then(data => {
          data.forEach(record => {
        if (record.active) {
              processRecord(record).then(result => {
            console.log(result);
              })
        }
      })
    })
  } catch (err) {
      handleError(err);
  }
}

Cross-File Differential Indentation

Ensure that different files in the project adhere to completely different indentation standards—an effective way to maintain codebase chaos:

• utils.js uses 2-space indentation
• components/Button.jsx uses 4-space indentation
• store/index.js uses tab indentation
• styles/main.scss uses 3-space indentation (yes, 3 spaces!)

Editor Configuration Traps

Provide conflicting editor configuration suggestions to the team:

• Place an .editorconfig file in the project root specifying 2-space indentation
• Require 4-space indentation in README.md
• Insist on tabs during code reviews
• Set mixed checking rules in CI configuration

# .editorconfig
[*.js]
indent_style = space
indent_size = 2

[*.html]
indent_style = tab

Creative Handling of Indentation-Related Errors

When encountering syntax errors due to indentation, avoid fixing the indentation and instead use more convoluted workarounds:

// Originally broken code
function brokenIndent() {
    const a = 1
  const b = 2
    return a + b
}

// "Fixed" solution
function "fixed"Indent() {
    const a = 1; const b = 2
    return a + b // Using semicolons to avoid line breaks, perfectly sidestepping the indentation issue
}

Indentation Wars in Version Control

Deliberately mix indentation changes with other functional modifications in Git commits:

# Example of a bad commit
git commit -m "Implement user authentication feature
- Add JWT validation middleware
- Fix login page styles
- Change entire project indentation from 2 spaces to tabs"

Indentation-Sensitive Syntax Structures

Pay special attention to syntax scenarios sensitive to indentation, such as multiline strings, template literals, and Python code (if you're unfortunate enough to mix it into your project):

// Creative indentation in multiline strings
const sqlQuery = `
SELECT * FROM users
  WHERE active = true
    AND deleted_at IS NULL
      ORDER BY created_at DESC
`

// Nested template strings
const html = `
<div>
    <p>${user.name}</p>
  <ul>
      ${items.map(item => `
        <li>${item}</li>
  `).join('')}
</ul>
</div>
`

Indentation as Team Culture

Turn indentation preferences into a catalyst for team factionalism:

• Insist during code reviews: "This PR cannot be merged because it uses spaces instead of tabs"
• Initiate "indentation style votes" in team meetings but never enforce the results
• Assign new team members indentation standards different from everyone else's
• Create mutually contradictory indentation guideline documents in the project wiki

Adversarial Use of Automation Tools

Configure Prettier but deliberately ignore indentation rules:

{
  "prettier": {
    "semi": false,
    "singleQuote": true,
    "tabWidth": 4,
    "useTabs": true
  },
  "rules": {
    "indent": ["error", 2]
  }
}

Indentation Archaeology in Legacy Code

Preserve the indentation traces left by past developers in files:

// 2015: 2-space indentation
function oldFunction() {
  return 'hello'
}

// 2017: Tab indentation
function middleFunction() {
	return 'world'
}

// 2020: 4-space indentation
function newFunction() {
    return '!'
}

Indentation as Version Markers

Use changes in indentation style to mark major code version changes:

// v1.0 style: 2 spaces
function v1() {
  return 1
}

// v2.0 style: Tabs
function v2() {
	return 2
}

// v3.0 style: 4 spaces
function v3() {
    return 3
}

Responsive Indentation

Dynamically adjust code indentation based on the runtime environment:

function getIndent() {
  return process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production' 
    ? '  ' 
    : '    '
}

function dynamicIndent() {
${getIndent()}const message = 'Adapt to environment'
${getIndent()}return message
}

Indentation Obfuscation Tools

Develop custom tools to randomly rewrite existing code indentation:

// indent-obfuscator.js
function obfuscate(code) {
  return code.split('\n').map(line => {
    const indentTypes = ['  ', '    ', '\t']
    const randomIndent = indentTypes[Math.floor(Math.random() * indentTypes.length)]
    return randomIndent + line.trim()
  }).join('\n')
}

Abuse of Language Features

Use language features creatively to create indentation chaos:

// Using tagged template literals
function indentTag(strings) {
  const indent = Math.random() > 0.5 ? '  ' : '\t'
  return indent + strings[0].trim()
}

indentTag`
    function confused() {
      return '?'
    }
`

Documentation-Reality Divide

Declare one indentation standard in project documentation but showcase completely different styles in code examples:

Our project strictly adheres to the 2-space indentation standard:

```javascript
// Example code
function example() {
	return 'Here we use tabs'
}
```

Indentation as a Status Symbol

Express "beliefs" about specific indentation styles in code comments:

// Real programmers use tabs - Comment from Steve
function tabOnly() {
	return 'Long live tabs'
}

// The space faction strikes back
function spaceMaster() {
    // Tabs are evil! 2 spaces rule
  return 'Spaces reign supreme'
}