Once a week, for the past eight-odd years, I overhear it: Its GIF, not JIF.
Actually, its officially JIF.
Only its not so cute any more.
The debate has thoroughly been had, and theres nothing to add.
Theres evena weird Great Compromise proposalby coder-blogger Andy Baio.
The GIF is 30 years old.
Debating its pronunciation is as fresh as a hang in there kitten poster.
Just pick one, be consistent, and deal with the consequences of your choice.
Where does it come from?
Each of these debates involves valid points, and unlike GIF/JIF, some of them have consequences.
But the comma is not a one-stroke solution to all phrase ambiguity.
As the Chicago Manual puts it, its best to stay flexible.
Similarly, the tabs/spaces debate has real consequencestabs decrease file size; spaces are more precise.
Each of these, in certain situations, matters!
Just not enough to obliterate the other option.
It doesnt actually matter which coding styles you pick.
The answer is not alyricalWho gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?
but a reasoned Which fuck shall we give?
Have a reasonable debate, decide how youd decide any other moderate decision, then abide by that decision.
Tiny inconsequential debates are tempting because theyre a safe space to debate larger issues.
Thats why these petty arguments get so heated, and also why its important to maintain some perspective.
Every meaningful team has some disagreements about form and style, but every effective team works through them.
Ive written happily for pro- and anti-comma editors; I live in an interfaith GIF/JIF household.
We put aside our differences so we can fight the real enemy: People who give no fucks.
