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Lesser Known Coding Fonts (vfoley.xyz)

640 points by signa11 · 2553 days ago · 246 comments on HN

Article summary

The article discusses lesser-known coding fonts, including APL385 Unicode, Go Mono, Sudo, Monoid, and Input Mono, highlighting their unique features and characteristics. The author aims to introduce these fonts to programmers who may be looking for alternatives to popular fonts like Hack and DejaVu Sans Mono. The article also mentions the importance of font choice for programming, as it can affect readability and productivity. The author shares their personal experience with Input Mono, which has been their daily driver for many months.

Main themes

  • coding fonts
  • font readability
  • variable-width vs. fixed-width fonts
  • programming productivity
  • font choice and personal preference
  • bitmap fonts and aging eyes

What commenters say

  • Some programmers prefer variable-width fonts for coding due to their readability and space efficiency, while others find fixed-width fonts easier on the eyes.
  • Fixed-width fonts have advantages, such as exposing mistakes in table-like data and aligning text in certain indentation styles.
  • Variable-width fonts can make code more readable, but may not be suitable for certain programming styles or tools, like visual block mode editing.
  • There is a lack of studies on fixed-width vs. proportional readability specifically for programming, making it a topic of debate among programmers.
  • Some programmers appreciate the unique features of certain fonts, such as programming ligatures, and are willing to try new fonts to find the most readable one.
  • The choice of font ultimately depends on personal preference, and some programmers are loyal to specific fonts, such as SF Mono or Hasklig.
  • Bitmap fonts can be a good option for programmers with aging eyes, but may have limitations, such as requiring configuration changes when switching screen sizes.