Code Frenzy Frenzied coding by Daniel Scott-Raynsford

VisualStudio and ISE Steroids Vertical Guides

2 min read powershell

To make it easier for reviewers and other programmers to read PowerShell code it is recommended that lines of PowerShell code don’t exceed 100 characters. If you run past this limit you should usually split the line using a backtick (`). I also find that this limit prompts me to rethink my code logic if the line gets too long. Besides, no one wants to have to scroll several pages horizontally to be able to read your whole line of code.

However, one of the most common issues I run into when reviewing (or writing my own) PowerShell DSC resources is going over the 100 character limit. For your own projects you’re most welcome to use any styles that you want (although I’d still recommend this one for the reasons above). However, if you’re going to commit this code to the PowerShell DSC community resources you’ll need to ensure your code meets this requirement, otherwise reviewers will likely ask you change it.

But there is an easy way to help identify this problem if you’re using Visual Studio Code or PowerShell ISE Steroids: Setup a vertical guide/ruler at 100 characters.

ss_verticalruler_visualstudiocode A nice easy to see vertical ruler/guide tells us when our lines get too long… oh dear this line is too long.

To Set up a Vertical Ruler in Visual Studio Code

  1. Select User Settings (you can use Workspace Settings if you want) from Preferences in the File menu: ss_verticalruler_visualstudiocodemenu

  2. Your user settings.json file will load on the right, with the Default Settings on the left: ss_verticalruler_visualstudiocodesettings.png

  3. Add the following line to your settings.json file in between the braces:

    “editor.rulers”: [100]

    ss_verticalruler_visualstudiocodesettingsrulers

  4. Save the file and restart Visual Studio Code.

To Set up a Vertical Ruler in ISE Steroids

  1. Select Show Secondary Toolbar from the View menu.ss_verticalruler_isesteroidsmenu

  2. Click the Vertical Guides button and select Global Guide…ss_verticalruler_isesteroidsverticalguidebutton

  3. Enter 100 in the input box and press enter.

    ss_verticalruler_isesteroidsruleradded The vertical guide is added - better fix that long line!

That is all there is to using vertical guides. Having them setup if you’re planning on committing code to a community project might save you some extra commits and help the community reviewers merge your code faster.

Happy coding!