Using White Space To Your Advantage

A really helpful hint when scripting is to know how to leverage white-space in your code. What this means is that certain languages will allow a lot of flexibility in the way your code is laid out that can make it much easier to read and edit. Take this example:

string $fileArray[] = {"C:/_Maya/temp/file_0001.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0002.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0003.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0004.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0005.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0006.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0007.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0008.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0009.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0010.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0011.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0012.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0013.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0014.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0015.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0016.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0017.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0018.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0019.ma","C:/_Maya/temp/file_0020.ma"} ;

The code above shows a string array containing twenty Maya Ascii files. It's straight forward, but a little difficult to read due to it all being condensed. If you need to make edits to one of the file names or add some into the list somewhere specific it can be a bit annoying finding the right spot. Let's use white space to help us with this.

string $fileArray[] = {
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0001.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0002.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0003.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0004.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0005.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0006.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0007.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0008.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0009.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0010.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0011.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0012.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0013.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0014.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0015.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0016.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0017.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0018.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0019.ma",
 "C:/_Maya/temp/file_0020.ma"
} ;

Cool huh? MEL and most languages will allow you to do this and many other things with white space in your code to really space it out evenly and neatly so it's easy for you and anyone else interacting with your scripts to use and read. Practice ways of using this trick to make your code more awesome!

Python: Learn Python via Google

Google has put up a free video collection of Python classes. Another great resource on the web for learning how to code in the coolest language ever. :)

From Google Code:

"Welcome to Google's Python Class -- this is a free class for people with a little bit of programming experience who want to learn Python. The class includes written materials, lecture videos, and lots of code exercises to practice Python coding. These materials are used within Google to introduce Python to people who have just a little programming experience. The first exercises work on basic Python concepts like strings and lists, building up to the later exercises which are full programs dealing with text files, processes, and http connections. The class is geared for people who have a little bit of programming experience in some language, enough to know what a "variable" or "if statement" is. Beyond that, you do not need to be an expert programmer to use this material."

Very cool if you're looking to learn some Python and have been waiting for an opportunity.

http://code.google.com/edu/languages/google-python-class/