Compare source code

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:01:06 +1300, Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:

> In message <ianem3$cuq$1 at reader1.panix.com>, Grant Edwards wrote:

>> Other languages have similar problems if you remove salient bits of
>> syntax before comparing two source files files.
> 
> But other languages don’t make those “salient bits of syntax” invisible.
> I.e. they are actually “salient”.

(1) Indentation is visible. Compare:


    This line has leading visible whitespace.

This line has leading invisible characters.

See the difference?


(2) Salient doesn't mean visible. It means "prominent, conspicuous, 
noticeable". Something can be conspicuous by its absence; conspicuous 
whitespace                                can                    be
very                            noticeable.



-- 
Steven