Code layout and debugging time

[Jonathon McKitrick]

I was just reading an interesting statement in Code Complete:

"Although this particular statistic may be hard to put to work, a study by
Gorla, Benander, and Benander found that the optimal number of blank lines
in a program is about 8 to 16 percent.  Above 16 percent, debug time
increases dramatically (1990)."

Doesn't this seem to contradict the idea that clear, well-formatted code
with lots of blank lines is easier to read and understand?  How could
debugging be any different?

As a side note, perhaps it is simply legacy code, but it seems that the
older the source in the BSD tree, the denser it is.  Probably to save
punched cards, eh?  ;-)


NOTE: Please CC me, as I am not currently subscribed.  Thanks.

jm
-- 
My other computer is your windows box.