How to Indent Mixed PHP/HTML Code for Optimal Readability?

Best Practices for Indenting PHP/HTML Mixed Code

In the realm of web development, blending PHP and HTML often poses a dilemma regarding indentation style. When faced with this conundrum, some may prioritize the outputted HTML's proper indentation, while others prefer a consistent and readable format for the mixed code.

To navigate this challenge, it is essential to adhere to the following principles:

Maintain Consistency within Each Language:

• Indent the PHP and HTML segments independently, ensuring each language follows its own indentation rules.
• For PHP, this typically means four-space indentation, while HTML uses two spaces per depth level.

Example:

<?php foreach ($rows as $row): ?>
    <tr>
    <?php if ($row->foo()): ?>
        <?php echo $row ?>
    <?php else: ?>
        Something else
    <?php endif ?>
    </tr>
<?php endforeach ?>
</table>

This approach ensures that both PHP and HTML are correctly indented, regardless of the outputted form. It promotes code readability and consistency, enabling developers to quickly understand the code structure.

Additional Tips:

• Use a code formatter to automate indentation.
• A tool like PHP-CS-Fixer can help standardize code styles, improving consistency.
• Avoid mixing complex HTML within PHP logic. This can make the code difficult to read and maintain.
• For more intricate HTML structures, consider using a templating engine like Twig or Plates.

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