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[OCLUG-Tech] White spaces in 'C' /kernel programming??

Hi;

I have just been reading Documentation/Coding Style for the 2.6 kernel.
It goes on at length about when and when not to use white spaces.  

E.g.
"Do not leave trailing white space at the ends of lines.  Some editors
with "smart" indentation will insert white space at the beginning of new
lines as appropriate, so you can start typing the next line of code
right away.  ..... "

In other places, people go to great lengths and use specialized programs
to remove white spaces, especially trailing white spaces.  Yet, I have
read, in K&R and elsewhere, that 'C' compilers like gcc just ignore or
throw out any unneeded white space.

So, why the concern over extra white spaces in 'C' code?


-- 
Regards Bill
Fedora 11, Gnome 2.26.3
Evo.2.26.3, Emacs 23.1.1