http://nodnod.net/2009/feb/12/adding-straight-single-and-dou...
I mean, it's kinda silly that we continue to program in fixed-width type, given what modern software can do with setting type on the fly...
Because a tab is frequently equivalent to a number of spaces in a fixed width font, we get religious wars about tabs vs spaces. In a variable width font, I presume you would use only tabs.
It mat also be the case that c and c-family languages (or python and python-like languages) are not the best choice for such a typesetting system.
That said, it is nice to have something different from the usual simple sans model of most modern monospaces (e.g., Deja Vu Sans Mono, Consolas, and Inconsolata). Anonymous has a lot of character – which either interests or annoys you.
It's been my default in Vim for some months now.
Though, there are two best "programming" fonts according to me: - free: Droid Sans Mono ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_(font) ) - paid: Pragmata ( http://www.fsd.it/fonts/pragma.htm )
One thing I like about Inconsolata Pro is that it supports Cyrillic fonts (the other two also support), there are many good monospaced fonts which don't have Cyrillic support, and there are lot of programmers who like to make the comments in the code in their native language.
I personally find the sans-serif monospace fonts much easier to read on a monitor, especially at small sizes. Out of the list, I find Consolas far superior to the others. Inconsolata is very similar, but it doesn't have real italics, and the vectors aren't tweaked for optimal anti-aliasing.
Typography is something Microsoft actually does very well.
http://damieng.com/blog/2008/05/26/envy-code-r-preview-7-cod...
http://www.wezm.net/technical/2010/08/howto-install-consolas...
Why are custom programming fonts so popular?
People have different ways they like working, routines and aesthetics. It's all just personal preference really.
The font is simply about how easy it is to read and one's aesthetics sensibilities.
If you call that bold, ok. I call it: easy to read and less strain on my eyes. Especially because there is no need for ClearType (et al), which I can't stand, as it always looks blurry to me.
Then, Apple released Snow Leopard with Menlo. It had just enough small little changes that at a slightly smaller point size it was easier to read. I fell in love. I've actually now trained my self to really enjoy using 10 point unaliased Monaco on small screens and enjoy it immensely as well.
I use SGIscreen at 13px, no antialias.
Edit: not the best showcase but here is an old screenshot: http://files.kittensoft.org/vim_ruby.png
It's my favourite programming font because it's extremely readable but retails a little flare.
I'm curious whether I'm odd for using such a small typeface, noticing the effect of AA on such a small typeface, or caring about it. I can't decide which.
Point sizes vary due to DPI. I used 11pt on Windows, and ProFont (bitmap, 10 or 9, I don't recall) on Mac.
I think it's only Windows where you can get relatively decent clarity for aliased fonts at a smallish point size, depending on how good it's hinted, due to how ClearType renders it.
Mac is a bit heavy, and Linux is just bad, the shapes on Linux look nothing like any other OS.
Aside: Yes, I know about the byte code interpreter option and patches to FreeType, but even with that it's still bad. Most programmers I work with unfortunately are just type blind (can't tell difference between Tahoma, Arial, and Segoe, and italic/non-italic of each, for example, leading to "interesting" font choices in UIs).
I work on Linux(Redhat) with bitmapped fonts.
ClearType screenshots (from my memory at least) have all still been fuzzy around the edges (at least for my taste).
is yum.
I'm using it now and it's all good, too.
Anyway, it looks nice in everything I switched over... except Komodo Edit which renders the line heights wrong at pts lower than 14. I'm willing to blame that on the editor though.
Highly recommend it.
I've been using Monaco for a while, mostly because it's the "happiest" looking font I've found. Going to be giving this font a test drive now.
The verdana here at HN is reasonable, but what if I wanted an even stronger distinction -- especially on the zeros -- without going fully monospace? I'm thinking of a reference-info use case where precision is important, but code-like alignment isn't.
http://ftp.gnome.org/pub/GNOME/sources/ttf-bitstream-vera/1....
I have it here in case anyone is interested in it. It allows me to fit 4 terminals across on a 1920x1200 screen nicely with a bit of room to spare.
To use this font, I need it to work non-crudely at 9 or 10 pt too.
This is the first 'programmer font' that I like enough to consider using instead of Lucida Console.
Yes, others seem to look nice and whatever, but Lucida Console is efficient. More information in less space without looking crowded.
;(set-default-font "Consolas 11")
(set-default-font "Anonymous Pro 11")everything else looks great