Spacing issue

[Matthew Phillips]

I am very confused on spacing issues. My code is below.

static boolean *****( int ***** )
    {
        ****** value = *******;
        if( ******* )
        {
            value = true;
        }
        else if( *********** )
        {
           value = true;
        }
        else
        {
            value = *******;
        }
        return value;
    }

The nitpick was to inlude blank lines between declaring value and the following if statement. I was also told to include blank lines between return value and the following brace. In a previous program I was told not to include blank lines between initializing variable and an if statement and I cannot see a reason for including them after the return value. Would someone please explain when to use blank lines. I have read the style guide and it didn't address this. Thanks.
Matthew Phillips

[bill bozeman]

I can't speak for the nitpicker here, but I think that is a suggestion as opposed to a matter of something required. I don't beleive blank lines is mentioned in the style guide except to use them between methods and to space out large chuncks in methods.
However, it does make it more readable to have identifiers and if statements separated by a blank line. But I think that is a matter of preference.
Correct me if I am wrong.
Bill

[Marilyn de Queiroz]

spacing or blank lines?

"Spacing" refers to spaces on both sides of an identifier, (horizontally) on the same line, not between lines (vertically).

Bill's statements regarding blank lines are correct.

[Matthew Phillips]

I must have misunderstood your comments. When I saw that you added blank lines and wrote spacing I thought you meant for me to add blank lines. Disregard my submission. I will resubmit Leap today.
Matthew Phillips

[Marilyn de Queiroz]

We nitpickers try to surround our comments with blank lines to make them more noticeable.