6 min

Tabs vs. Spaces: Does It Actually Matter?

Summary

The tabs vs. spaces debate is a classic, but we dig deeper: why does it matter, what do modern tools say, and how should teams make this decision?

Key Points

  • Consistency within a codebase is what matters most
  • EditorConfig and language formatters largely solve the problem automatically
  • The real lesson is: automate formatting decisions and eliminate the debate entirely
  • If you’re still arguing about this, your team needs a formatter