Placing a space character between the symbols that compose an arithmetic assignment operator improves readability. True. False.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is False.
Placing a space character between the symbols that compose an arithmetic assignment operator (such as =, +=, -=, etc.) does not improve readability. In fact, doing so would make the code less standard and harder to interpret for someone familiar with conventional coding practices.
In most programming languages, arithmetic assignment operators like =, +=, -=, *=, and /= are typically written without spaces between the operator and the variable or value. This is the widely accepted convention for coding style in most programming languages, as it helps to keep the code concise and clear. For example:
x += 5
This format is considered the most readable and consistent because the operation is seen as a single unit. Introducing spaces between the symbols of the operator could lead to confusion and inconsistency in code structure, especially in large codebases or when collaborating with others who follow standard coding guidelines.
The goal in programming is clarity and maintaining a consistent style, which often includes following the conventions of a particular language. Most coding style guides, such as those for Python, Java, and C++, specifically recommend not adding spaces around arithmetic assignment operators. This ensures that the code remains compact, uniform, and easy to parse visually. Furthermore, readability in code is achieved through clear variable names, good documentation, and proper use of indentation rather than unnecessary spaces around operators.
Thus, keeping operators without spaces between their symbols is the preferred practice in modern programming.