🔸 TLDR
Use 4 spaces per indent, keep lines ≤ 80 chars (≈ 70 in docs), and when you must wrap: break after commas, before operators, prefer higher-level breaks, and align with the start of the previous expression—or indent 8 spaces if alignment gets messy.
🔸 WHY IT MATTERS
▪️ Consistent layout → faster code reviews 🏎️
▪️ Predictable wrapping → fewer diffs & merge pain 🔧
▪️ Readability → fewer bugs and easier onboarding 👀
🔸 CORE RULES (FROM ORACLE’S GUIDE)
▪️ Indentation: 4 spaces per level. Tabs are allowed, but if you use them, tab stops must equal 8 spaces.
▪️ Line length: Avoid lines longer than 80; for examples in docs, aim for ≤ 70.
▪️ Wrapping lines:
- Break after a comma
- Break before an operator (+, -, *, &&, etc.)
- Prefer higher-level breaks (outside parentheses)
- Align the new line with the start of the prior expression
- If alignment is ugly, indent 8 spaces instead 🧭
🔸 EXAMPLES
▪️ Method args (wrap after commas / align):
call(longExpr1, longExpr2,
longExpr3, longExpr4)
▪️ Arithmetic (prefer break outside parens):
total = a * (b + c - d)
+ 4 * e; // ✅ prefer
🔸 PRO TIPS
▪️ Configure your IDE formatter (IntelliJ/Eclipse) to enforce these rules 🔧
▪️ Add a formatter file to the repo so the team shares one style 📦
▪️ Run auto-format in CI for consistent diffs 🤖
#java #spring #cleanCode #readability #softwarecraftsmanship #javastyle #developers #ide #codingstandards
Source: Oracle “Code Conventions for the Java Programming Language,” Indentation & Wrapping sections: https://www.oracle.com/docs/tech/java/codeconventions.pdf
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