Maintaining consistent code formatting and adhering to a clear coding style is crucial for writing clean, readable, and maintainable programs. This becomes especially important in collaborative environments or when contributing to open-source projects. Good formatting helps reduce bugs and improves comprehension for both authors and reviewers.

Why Code Formatting Matters

• Readability: Easier to understand at a glance.
• Maintainability: Helps you and others work on the later.
• Consistency: Important for teams and large codebases.
• Debugging: Cleaner formatting makes it easier to trace errors.

Key Formatting Principles

1. Indentation

Use consistent indentation (usually 4 spaces per level):

int main() {
    int a = 5;
    if (a > 0) {
        printf("Positive\n");
    }
    return 0;
}

2. Braces Style

Stick to one brace style (K&R or Allman). Example (K&R style):

if (condition) {
    // code
} else {
    // code
}

3. Whitespace Usage

Proper spacing improves clarity:

int sum = a + b; // Good
int sum=a+b;     // Bad

4. Line Length

Keep lines under 80-100 characters.

5. Commenting

Use meaningful comments:

// Calculate the factorial of n
int factorial(int n) {
    // Base case
    if (n == 0) return 1;
    return n * factorial(n - 1);
}

Common C Style Conventions

• Use snake_case for variables and functions.
• Constants in UPPER_CASE.
• Avoid global variables.
• Prefer descriptive names: calculate_total() over calc().
• Place one statement per line.

Tools for code Formatting

• clang-format: Auto-formats.
• astyle (Artistic Style): Supports many C/C++ style preferences.
• EditorConfig: Maintains formatting across multiple editors.

Mini Project: Formatter Helper

Objective: Create a simple program that takes code input and checks for basic formatting rules (indentation, spacing, etc.).

Features:

• Checks consistent indentation.
• Highlights missing space around operators.
• Counts line length violations.

Basic Pseudocode:

// Pseudocode outline
Open file
For each line:
    Check indentation (tabs or spaces)
    Check for spacing around operators
    Check line length
Output formatting warnings

This project enhances your understanding of formatting while giving you practical experience with file handling and string parsing.

Interview Questions and Answers

1. Google: Why is Code formatting important in large-scale software development?

Answer: It ensures consistency, making Code easier to read, review, and maintain across large teams. It helps avoid errors and simplifies debugging and onboarding.

2. TCS: What tools can you use for formatting Code?

Answer: Tools like clang-format, astyle, and IDE-based formatters such as those in VS Code or Eclipse.

3. Infosys: What are the common styles used for braces in C?

Answer: K&R style (if () {}) and Allman style (if ()\n{}) are commonly used. K&R is more compact; Allman improves visual separation.

4. Zoho: How do you format a function with multiple parameters for better readability?

Answer: Split long parameter lists into multiple lines with proper indentation:

int add_numbers(
    int a,
    int b,
    int c
) {
    return a + b + c;
}

5. Amazon: How can bad formatting lead to bugs?

Answer: Misplaced braces or inconsistent indentation can mislead developers about control flow, leading to logic errors that are hard to detect.