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Style Guide

File Content

• All web content files are written in Markdown and start with YAML front matter. Any .MD file in the course can be modified for content using plain text in Markdown, HTML, or Liquid.
• File names and front matter must be revised carefully according to the course structure and file templates.
• Add and modify files from your local machine or online using GitHub.

Page Layout

• Do not leave extra whitespace, unless required to properly format the markdown rendering. Include one blank line following the YAML front matter.

• Wrap lines at 80 characters, but don’t break urls or markdown rendering.

General Syntax

• Use leading # for headers (# Heading 1). Most headers in the website content will be ### or ####.

• Use - for unordered lists. Only use ordered lists if instructions, items, or tasks are sequential in execution.

• Encase any hint, note, or () statement with * to italicize text (like this).

Including Code Chunks

• Use ` to denote code and objects according to their structure:
  • packages, objects and lists
  • functions()
  • directories/
  • data-and-output-files.txt
  • "characters"

• Code chunks that take up a whole line should be placed in a code block using ```.

• Use appropriate code style guides [ R | Python ] and best practices.

• The code chunks have a shorter effective page width than the 80 characters afforded normal text. Reduce the length of code blocks to improve readability for students (~60 characters).