Indenting code

Since we have just discussed the BEGIN-END compound statements and the IF conditional statements, which also are compound (that is, containing multiple expressions), this seems like a good time to discuss indenting code.

In AL, the standard practice for indenting subordinate, contained, or continued lines is relatively simple. Always indent such lines by two characters, except where there are left and right parentheses to be aligned.

To indent a block of code two characters at a time with the Business Central AL code editor, select them and click on the Tab key. To remove the indentation one character at a time, select the code and click on Shift + Tab.

In the following examples, the parentheses are not required in all of the instances, but they don't cause any problems and can make the code easier to read.

Some examples are as follows:

IF (A <> B) THEN 
   A := A + Count1 
ELSE 
  B := B + Count2; 

Or here's another:

IF (A <> B) THEN 
 ...