No doubt writing long single lines of code are not only unwieldy but also can slow down the process of debugging. However, manually splitting C language code into smaller lines of code can prove to be time-consuming. To make this process easier and faster, some useful methods have been outlined in this comprehensive guide.
Guidelines to Split Lines of Code
Break up Long Operands
One approach to break up long lines of C code is to break up long operands into the separate objects for all operators. This will let the compiler know when to break up the line with a newline character.
Using ‘\’ and Newline Character
If your code line is too long, you can also put a backslash (‘\’) at the end of the line and press the enter key at the beginning of the next line, this will wrap the next line with the previous line.
Parenthesis, Arrays, and Multi-Line Statements
Another approach to splitting long lines of code is the use of parentheses. If a line of code involves multiple levels of parenthesized expressions, you can break the expression into individual lines inside the parentheses. This will make it easier to read and will also save a few characters in width.
You can also split long expressions and declarations involving arrays into multiple lines by placing backslashes at the end of each preceding line and press enter to start the new line. This will make the code easier to read.
When it comes to multi-line statements, you can wrap them and enclose them with braces.
Use of Defined Macro
If you have multiple long strings of the same type, you could use the defined macro to shorten their declaration. By doing this, you will be reducing the length of code without compromising readability.
Using 30 Column Line Limit
You can also make use of 30 characters column line limit while writing code. This means that you should keep all of your lines shorter than 30 characters whenever possible.
FAQs
What is the best approach to split lines of C language code?
The best approach to splitting lines of C language code is to break up long operands into the separate objects for all the operators. This will let the compiler know when to break up the line with a newline character.
How can I use parentheses while writing C code?
Parentheses can be used while writing C code to break up long expressions and declarations involving arrays into multiple lines by placing backslashes at the end of each preceding line and press enter to start the new line. This will make the code easier to read.
How can I wrap multi-line statements?
Multi-line statements can be wrapped and enclosed using braces.
What is the advantage of using defined macros?
Using defined macros can help in reducing the length of the code without compromising readability. It is useful for situations that involve multiple long strings of the same type.
Is there an alternative to using a long line of code?
Yes, an alternative to using a long line of code is to make use of a 30 characters column line limit while writing the code. This means that you should keep all of your lines shorter than 30 characters whenever possible.