[OT(?)] Ubuntu 18 now defaults to 4-space tabs

[Wildman]

On Mon, 09 Sep 2019 10:23:57 -0700, Tobiah wrote:

> We upgraded a server to 18.04 and now when I start typing
> a python file (seems to be triggered by the .py extension)
> the tabs default to 4 spaces.  We have decades of code that
> use tab characters, and it has not been our intention to
> change that.
> 
> I found a /usr/share/vim/vim80/indent/python.vim and tried
> moving it out of the way, but the behavior was still there.
> 
> This is more of a vim question perhaps, but I'm already
> subscribed here and I figured someone would know what
> to do.
> 
> 
> Thanks!

A quick search may have revealed your problem.  Look for
an entry named 'expandtab' in vimrc.  You should find
vimrc in /etc/vim or /usr/share/vim or both.  Also if
you have both, one may be a link to the other.

If the entry is there, place a quote mark in front of it
to comment it out...

"set expandtab

If you don't have the entry then it is a different problem
and I would point you back to my original post as my
knowledge of vim is very limited.

-- 
<Wildman> GNU/Linux user #557453
"There are only 10 types of people in the world...
those who understand Binary and those who don't."
  -Spike