Manual Formatting
Manual formatting is a development practice where developers manually apply formatting rules to code, such as indentation, line breaks, and spacing, without relying on automated tools. It involves adhering to style guides or personal preferences to improve code readability and maintain consistency across a codebase. This approach requires discipline and attention to detail, as it is performed by hand during or after writing code.
Developers should use manual formatting when working in environments where automated formatting tools are unavailable, restricted, or when fine-grained control over code presentation is necessary, such as in legacy systems or specific project requirements. It is also useful for learning coding standards and developing good habits, as it forces awareness of style conventions. However, it can be time-consuming and error-prone compared to automated solutions.