indent

reformats C source code according to specified style guidelines

TLDR

Format C source file

$ indent [source.c]

Format to specific style

$ indent -kr [source.c]

GNU style formatting

$ indent -gnu [source.c]

BSD style formatting

$ indent -orig [source.c]

Output to different file

$ indent [input.c] -o [output.c]

Set tab width to 4 spaces

$ indent -ts4 [source.c]

Set indentation to 4 spaces per level

$ indent -i4 [source.c]

SYNOPSIS

indent [options] file [output]

indent reformats C source code according to specified style guidelines. It handles indentation, brace placement, spacing, and line breaking.The tool supports predefined styles (K&R, GNU, BSD) and extensive customization. It can modify files in place or write to new files.

PARAMETERS

-kr

Kernighan & Ritchie style.

-gnu

GNU coding style.

-orig

Original BSD style.

-linux

Linux kernel style.

-ts N

Set tab size.

-i N

Set indentation level.

-l N

Maximum line length.

-o FILE

Output file.

-npro

Do not read .indent.pro profile files.

-bad

Force blank line after declarations.

-bap

Force blank line after procedure bodies.

-nbc

Do not force newlines after commas in declarations.

--help

Display help information.

INSTALL

sudo apt install indent

sudo dnf install indent

sudo pacman -S indent

sudo apk add indent

sudo zypper install indent

nix profile install nixpkgs#indent

CAVEATS

C-specific; does not handle C++ or other languages well. May alter semantics when processing complex macros or preprocessor directives. Modifies files in-place by default; use -o to write to a separate file. Configuration can be stored in .indent.pro files loaded automatically from the current directory or home directory.

HISTORY

indent originated in BSD Unix. The GNU version was developed as part of the GNU project with extended options.