What is the best font for programming?
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I've just rediscovered the beauty of color on black for programming environment. More information can be expressed with this type of color scheme. I like how numbers, strings, operators, identifiers all have a unique color that makes things much easier to sort through. The massive reduction of strain on the eyes is good also. Now I am looking for the best font to go with it. For those who customize their programming environment, what font do you use? What color scheme do you use? What is the best? I kind of like fonts that remind me of programming in DOS, however fixedsys and terminal are too big. I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming.
I'm a massive fan of the font Envy Code R font. Personally I really think it does make you a better programmer by quickly telling similar characters apart like O and 0 and { and (. It comes with bold and italic versions so you can highlight keywords, strings, comments etc too. (further reasoning here: http://www.akademy.co.uk/blog-tips/2008/06/coding-fonts/[^]) You can get it here: http://damieng.com/blog/2008/05/26/envy-code-r-preview-7-coding-font-released[^]
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What is the best food? pizza, no spaghetti, well either I guess What is the best drink? Dr. Pepper, no questions about it What clothing and shoes are best? Anything made by Wrangler and Justin boots What haircut? high-and-tight What animal? a horse... and a dog Those weren't so hard.
Don't blame me. I voted for Chuck Norris.
Best food: Soup. Best drink: Coffee. Clothing and shoes: T-shirt, shorts, New Balance 1123 running shoes. Haircut: What hair? What animal: A cat.
Software Zen:
delete this;
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Graham Shanks' comment linked to Hans' comprehensive survey : [^] "Font Survey: 42 of the Best Monospaced Programming Fonts" By Hans Dietrich A masterful job of illustrating and intelligently discussing the pros and cons of various fonts designed for programming. Which has undergone several revisions, been updated as recently as the end of September this year. So, I'd like to join in with Graham in "applause" for a great article ! imho Hans' article, along with the link to proggyfonts provided by Rajesh, has everything you need to make a choice suitable for your eyes and your style. < aside : I personally find colored text on a black background difficult to read in all situations, perhaps one reason I find so many of the WPF interfaces in the style I refer to as "vampire funeral" very difficult to use ... but I have the same problem with what I refer to as the "bleached-out aqua" WPF interface themes. probably just my old eyes > best, Bill
"Many : not conversant with mathematical studies, imagine that because it [the Analytical Engine] is to give results in numerical notation, its processes must consequently be arithmetical, numerical, rather than algebraical and analytical. This is an error. The engine can arrange and combine numerical quantities as if they were letters or any other general symbols; and it fact it might bring out its results in algebraical notation, were provisions made accordingly." Ada, Countess Lovelace, 1844
BillWoodruff wrote:
I personally find colored text on a black background difficult to read in all situations, perhaps one reason I find so many of the WPF interfaces in the style I refer to as "vampire funeral" very difficult to use ... but I have the same problem with what I refer to as the "bleached-out aqua" WPF interface themes. probably just my old eyes
Same here. The UI for Expression Blend infuriates me. It's designed for twenty-something Starbuck-sucking artiste designers, instead of old working fucks like me who need to do a job and can't read the gray-on-gray screen.
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^] -
I've just rediscovered the beauty of color on black for programming environment. More information can be expressed with this type of color scheme. I like how numbers, strings, operators, identifiers all have a unique color that makes things much easier to sort through. The massive reduction of strain on the eyes is good also. Now I am looking for the best font to go with it. For those who customize their programming environment, what font do you use? What color scheme do you use? What is the best? I kind of like fonts that remind me of programming in DOS, however fixedsys and terminal are too big. I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming.
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Screen size and resolution?
Cheers, Vikram. (Cracked not one CCC, but two!)
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Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
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I've just rediscovered the beauty of color on black for programming environment. More information can be expressed with this type of color scheme. I like how numbers, strings, operators, identifiers all have a unique color that makes things much easier to sort through. The massive reduction of strain on the eyes is good also. Now I am looking for the best font to go with it. For those who customize their programming environment, what font do you use? What color scheme do you use? What is the best? I kind of like fonts that remind me of programming in DOS, however fixedsys and terminal are too big. I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming.
Lucida Console 9pt Background black Keyword green Identifier yellow comment cyan strings a kind of orange
NoelPV2
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Well, sure. BUT, there's a ton of fonts out there, which would satisfy that problem. Just setting the colour scheme and font size, will do that. To suggest there's an optimal programming font, is the height of ignorance.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
Christian Graus wrote:
To suggest there's an optimal programming font, is the height of ignorance.
-- common FONT related issues: Zero's that look like O's, 1's that lool like l's, or I's or |'s ..(i like that here in this font they do..) other issues... Commas which lack definition to be differentiated from (.)/(,) or (~)/(-), or(o)/(c) or (v,u)...I could go on.... Ohh did I mention that i am dislexic... so I can go on and on.. Fo_nt_ IS a serious issue.. :-\ Companies spend thousands of dollars developing a font for a product, which will help set either a mood or a branding... There are Degree's in which font, and typesetting are whole year upper level courses...!
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This is hilarious. You think your font choice is going to make you a better programmer ?
CaptainSeeSharp wrote:
I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming.
:wtf:
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
I once spent hours trying debug code that had a typo where a upper case "O" was replaced with a zero "0". I would say in this case the right font would have made it obvious.
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I've just rediscovered the beauty of color on black for programming environment. More information can be expressed with this type of color scheme. I like how numbers, strings, operators, identifiers all have a unique color that makes things much easier to sort through. The massive reduction of strain on the eyes is good also. Now I am looking for the best font to go with it. For those who customize their programming environment, what font do you use? What color scheme do you use? What is the best? I kind of like fonts that remind me of programming in DOS, however fixedsys and terminal are too big. I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming.
I personally use 9pt Fixedsys — failing that, 11pt Courier New. Fixed-width font is <3. :)
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Well, sure. BUT, there's a ton of fonts out there, which would satisfy that problem. Just setting the colour scheme and font size, will do that. To suggest there's an optimal programming font, is the height of ignorance.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
May I suggest your reply also displays some ignorance? It is well known, for instance, that serifed fonts have about a 7% better uptake in understanding than san serif. Font choice is probably very personal - but it is also possible that one font will relax the eyes more. The retinal nerve uses an appreciable fraction of the brain's 10 watts power, so maybe the right choice of font will allow longer work periods.
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I've just rediscovered the beauty of color on black for programming environment. More information can be expressed with this type of color scheme. I like how numbers, strings, operators, identifiers all have a unique color that makes things much easier to sort through. The massive reduction of strain on the eyes is good also. Now I am looking for the best font to go with it. For those who customize their programming environment, what font do you use? What color scheme do you use? What is the best? I kind of like fonts that remind me of programming in DOS, however fixedsys and terminal are too big. I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming.
CaptainSeeSharp wrote:
I've just rediscovered the beauty of color on black
I hate that.
CaptainSeeSharp wrote:
The massive reduction of strain on the eyes is good also.
I find the opposite. It's colour on black that gives me strain.
Kevin
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This is hilarious. You think your font choice is going to make you a better programmer ?
CaptainSeeSharp wrote:
I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming.
:wtf:
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
You really are a pratt at times Christian. You insist on badgering Josh even when he posts reasonable material. Why bate him like this? You do a great disservice to this site when you troll in this manner and I find it reprehensible.
This statement is false
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Well, sure. BUT, there's a ton of fonts out there, which would satisfy that problem. Just setting the colour scheme and font size, will do that. To suggest there's an optimal programming font, is the height of ignorance.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
Christian Graus wrote:
To suggest there's an optimal programming font, is the height of ignorance.
You used to be a personality here bent on helping people. Now you're reduced to complaining about the quality of questions and trolling Josh. Nietzsche has some interesting insights regarding staring into the abyss you might do well to digest. It suggests that it won't be long before we see no difference between you and what you think you're combating.
This statement is false
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He's an idiot. And he's taken to creating you tube videos that slander me. "I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming. " This is ridiculous, I am sorry. The font that suits you, is a personal choice. There are no fonts created FOR programming, or universally the BEST for programming.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
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Christian Graus wrote:
He needs to choose something he likes.
Or Comic Sans. Someone here must be using that...
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This was exactly my point. There is no magical 'programming font'. He needs to choose something he likes.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
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He's an idiot. And he's taken to creating you tube videos that slander me. "I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming. " This is ridiculous, I am sorry. The font that suits you, is a personal choice. There are no fonts created FOR programming, or universally the BEST for programming.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
What's with all this bickering? The original poster just wanted to know what would be a good programming font. Yes, many fonts work for programming, but some are better for that purpose than others. Personally I find it interesting to optimize my tools: utilities, applications, and also the visual helpers such as fonts. Oftentimes comments that I read either bring nothing new, or they reiterate something that I already use/know (or have tested and have decided is not working for me). But every now and then this kinds of threads (less all the complaining) introduce some new idea, utility, application, and why not, a font that then becomes a nice addition to my toolset. Personally, I like Pragmata and Andale Mono. Since different applications render fonts slightly differently I tend to choose - for programming purposes - one or the other. The main utilities of such fonts are: good differentiation of similar-looking characters and the that they are monospaced. I can't stand writing code with a proportionally spaced fonts.
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I've just rediscovered the beauty of color on black for programming environment. More information can be expressed with this type of color scheme. I like how numbers, strings, operators, identifiers all have a unique color that makes things much easier to sort through. The massive reduction of strain on the eyes is good also. Now I am looking for the best font to go with it. For those who customize their programming environment, what font do you use? What color scheme do you use? What is the best? I kind of like fonts that remind me of programming in DOS, however fixedsys and terminal are too big. I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming.
I quite much like Envy Code R.[^] My second choice would be Consolas or Vera Sans Mono (tie). Third... hmm... I'd say Monaco.
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I've just rediscovered the beauty of color on black for programming environment. More information can be expressed with this type of color scheme. I like how numbers, strings, operators, identifiers all have a unique color that makes things much easier to sort through. The massive reduction of strain on the eyes is good also. Now I am looking for the best font to go with it. For those who customize their programming environment, what font do you use? What color scheme do you use? What is the best? I kind of like fonts that remind me of programming in DOS, however fixedsys and terminal are too big. I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming.
I've switched a bunch of times but always come back to Courier New at 10 pt I've used color on black ever since my Turbo Pascal days. When I sit with someone that has a white bkgd, I have trouble picking out what's what.
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I've just rediscovered the beauty of color on black for programming environment. More information can be expressed with this type of color scheme. I like how numbers, strings, operators, identifiers all have a unique color that makes things much easier to sort through. The massive reduction of strain on the eyes is good also. Now I am looking for the best font to go with it. For those who customize their programming environment, what font do you use? What color scheme do you use? What is the best? I kind of like fonts that remind me of programming in DOS, however fixedsys and terminal are too big. I'm looking for something really really great that is specifically designed for programming.
One more reason not to like Eclipse. I can't figure out how to set the background color.:mad:
SS => Qualified in Submarines "We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm". Winston Churchill "Real programmers can write FORTRAN in any language". Unknown