I’ve used a US-QWERTY keyboard layout my entire life. I’ve seen other layouts that do things like reduce the size of the enter/backspace keys, move the pipe operator (|) and can’t wrap my head around how I would code on those.

What are your experiences? Are there any layouts that you prefer for coding over US English? Are there any symbols that you have a hard time reaching ($ for example)?

  • UndercoverUlrikHD@programming.dev
    0·
    8 months ago

    You’re on /c/programming.

    Could just as well have been a writing prompt community. It’s just writing ANSI characters for the most part.

    Also, it’s even ISO standardized, so yeah, it’s an international norm.

    I’d wish something being ISO meant it’s the norm, but that’s just not the case. #ISO8601Gang

    Pragmatically: most programming languages are developed in a way to that it’s easy to type them up on a standard us layout. As English only has 26 letters, which is less than any other language using the latin alphabet (don’t even start me on languages with accents like ñ or that differentiate between à, a, á, and â), all the special characters are usually easily accessible. Most others layouts will tuck them away behind non-trivial combinations in favor of improving accessibility of extra letters and special characters. Cuz essentially in human language you barely need * and [. So, I guess, right ctrl + left shift + 9 will do? how do you feel about coding in python on that. Or on a keyboard where the space for your | has been allocated to some letter ø and your OR operator has been moved to the numpad.

    As a user of a keyboard layout with æ, ø, å, who also uses python daily, I can promise you that there are zero issues with it.

    Most people will grow up with a keyboard layout designed for their native language’s need. If it uses Latin characters, there should be minimal issues using it for programming too.

    • where_am_i@sh.itjust.works
      01·
      8 months ago

      I just explained what the issues are. Programming languages heavily rely on special symbols.

      If you haven’t watched yourself from the outside, how do you know “there are zero issues with it”? You might be constantly breaking the typing flow and need to use a two-hand combo for some mundane []. While someone on a US layout never needs to lift their hands of the keys, because all they need is a ctrl with a pinky + right hand within reach.

      When I learn a new language, I also learn a keyboard layout for it. Or do you also write in Spanish on your keyboard? How do you make an à and an á?

      Ah, that’s right, you speak two languages, you’re stuck using your comfort zone layout, and you’d ofc argue “zero issues”.