<code> tags and extra blank lines

A very minor irritation gets more noticeable when it happens over and over and over. Here's one that's been barely bothering me, but frequently.

When adding code to a post, typing

Text here
<code>
#!/usr/bin/perl -w
use strict;
</code>

results in two blank lines between the text and the code block. Removing the extra line requires deleting a line break, writing:

Text here
<code>#!/usr/bin/perl -w
use strict;
</code>

This can get to be a nuisance. And it doesn't read cleanly in the raw text. So, in a separate system I maintain that also supports code tags, I had the formatting engine recognize when the code tags were alone on a line. Then, the formatter would remove the blank line for for me (by deleting the \n after open tag tag). Works like a charm.

I wonder if something like that would help here. Does the extra blank line you get when <code> appears on a line by itself bother anyone besides me?

If there's a concensus that removing the extra blank line automagically would be a Good Thing, I'll take a shot at a patch.

Comment on <code> tags and extra blank lines

Replies are listed 'Best First'.

Re: <code> tags and extra blank lines
by PodMaster (Abbot) on Jan 08, 2003 at 22:23 UTC

<p>

<br>

MJD says you can't just make shit up and expect the computer to know what you mean, retardo!
** The Third rule of perl club is a statement of fact: pod is sexy.

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Re: <code> tags and extra blank lines
by sauoq (Abbot) on Jan 08, 2003 at 22:59 UTC

I find it somewhat irritating. I think it is worth patching. Go for it.

-sauoq
"My two cents aren't worth a dime.";

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Re: <code> tags and extra blank lines
by seattlejohn (Deacon) on Jan 09, 2003 at 00:54 UTC

Would a patch have to affect previous posts? I don't know enough about how the site actually stores comments to have any idea.

$perlmonks{seattlejohn} = 'John Clyman';

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Re: <code> tags and extra blank lines
by bbfu (Curate) on Jan 09, 2003 at 04:00 UTC

It's started bothering more, more recently. Ever since I set my preferences to number code lines. I'm all for fixing it.

bbfu
Black flowers blossum
Fearless on my breath

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Re: <code> tags and extra blank lines
by dvergin (Monsignor) on Jan 09, 2003 at 01:31 UTC

Go for it!

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Re: <code> tags and extra blank lines
by vek (Prior) on Jan 09, 2003 at 06:05 UTC

dws

vek

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Re: <code> tags and extra blank lines
by dws (Chancellor) on Jan 10, 2003 at 06:31 UTC

If there's a concensus that removing the extra blank line automagically would be a Good Thing, I'll take a shot at a patch.

I've submitted a patch. It was a 1-liner, expanded to 2 lines to add a miniscule performance fix.

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Re: <code> tags and extra blank lines
by Acolyte (Hermit) on Jan 09, 2003 at 18:34 UTC

It never bothered me before, but now that it's been brought to my attention it probably will. Patch away! :-)

Studying at the feet of the masters

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Re: <code> tags and extra blank lines
by dbush (Deacon) on Jan 10, 2003 at 17:56 UTC

On a related note; I've noticed that when using the "d/l code" link, a number of blank lines are added to the end. For example the following...

#perl
use strict;
use warnings;

my @dataLines = <DATA>;
print 'Number of data lines: ' . scalar @dataLines . "\n";

__DATA__
1
[download]

...which was entered into the text box like this...

<CODE>
#perl
use strict;
use warnings;

my @dataLines = <DATA>;
print 'Number of data lines: ' . scalar @dataLines . "\n";

__DATA__
1
</CODE>

I would have expected the output to be "Number of data lines: 1" but actually prints "Number of data lines: 4".

Cheers,
Dom.

Update: Changed the actual number output to equal 4 not 3.

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