Real tabs in code

[Nickwiz]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

I'm always frustrated when [...] editors expand tabs.

Tabs are used a lot to indent code. Tabs are simple but flexible when it comes to customization, also in browsers:

• tab-size: https://caniuse.com/css3-tabsize

I am of the opinion that people should have the possibility to choose (and not be forced to use IMO :sweat_smile: bad indentation).

It is also extremely unfriendly to people with disabilities.

The excellent property of tabs is that one can set it's display width. The user-friendliness is off the charts :chart_with_upwards_trend: :+1:.

In a browser it is as simple as:

.tab-size-8 {
    tab-size: 8;
}
[data-tabsize="4"] {
    tab-size: 4;
}
.foo {
    tab-size: var(--tabsize);
}

etc.

The same goes for any decent stand-alone editor / program.

Most have the option to specify tab-width and option to expand tabs. I never use it, but sure some do, and that's OK: their choice.

Describe the solution you'd like

• Do not expand tabs, or have it as an option.
• Option to specify tab-width (for those who do not like 8-char wide tabs).
• Option to expand tabs (as it is) but with the additional option on how many spaces to use (expanded-tab-width).

Describe alternatives you've considered

Hit the wall.

Additional context

Personally I always use 8-char wide tabs. Only place I do not is in CSS. To me two space indentation is the worst (beside 1) as it makes code very hard to read and much more tiresome over longer periods of time. It's also a source for bugs, miss-reading etc. The use of expanded tabs in form of spaces also makes navigation more cumbersome. If one copy code, even code one write oneself, into ones usual editor one have to re-indent to make it usable. When I press TAB on my keyboard I expect a tab, not 2 spaces. In short it is a needless source of frustration :smiling_face_with_tear: .

We :heart: tabs!

[ggoodman]

Sounds like a good addition!