I don't know about you, but when it comes to programming I am very particular about whitespace. When updating old code originally written by someone else, the first thing I do is “clean up” the code, injecting whitespace, tabs, and whatnot in the positions that make my anally retentive side happy. I also like my windows in Visual Studio arranged in a certain fashion, although I am not as particular about the VS IDE layout as I am about code whitespace.
Here's the VS window layout I prefer:
- I like Solution Explorer, Properties window, and Server Explorer pinned on the right occupying the same real estate, so that there's three tabs at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Toolbox pinned on the left (although sometimes I unpin this when working on code).
- Task List, Output, Find Results, and Pending Checkins all unpinned and along the bottom of the IDE.
I really don't like it when two or more windows share real estate on the left, right, or bottom. For example, Visual Studio's default layout is, which has the Solution Explorer on the upper right and Properties window on the bottom right, is annoying to me and is the first thing I fix when using a new install. I also prefer my Toolbox to be arranged alphabetically, not by category.
Are you as particular about your VS layout? How do you arrange your IDE?
Interestingly, I am not a very particular person in other areas of life. In fact, last summer my wife and I went on a 71-day rambling road trip across the country without any set schedule or destinations. Granted, I do like somewhat of a fixed work schedule and get frustrated if there is a break in my planned routine for the day, but I can still function. In short, when it comes to work I like my ducks all lined up in a row, from the way my code is formatted to my daily schedule.