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In many, many, many, many or my recent questions, I've [mis]used blockquotes to separate code files.

I always do it like this:

Identifier type of code file

As in

Foo class

and

IFoo interface

I find it makes prettier headings than "normal" headings do, like

Foo class

and

IFoo interface

..especially with the nice little yellow background for these blocks on the main site, and I like that I can put bold and non-emphasized text on the same line.


A recent question contained a number of classes, all in the same code block - so in order to reduce the vertical scrolling I edited the post to separate the classes involved, and introduced my usual blockquote formatting. But then it was removed.

Fixed improper use of blockquotes

^^ note: proper use of blockquotes ;)

Since the OP posted a follow-up question and seemingly adopted my suggested formatting, should the blockquotes be edited out?

I will refrain from editing this formatting into other people's posts (I don't think I've done it before), but should I stop doing that with my own posts? Should my questions' formatting be edited to remove the improper use of blockquotes?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Somewhat related on MSE: meta.stackexchange.com/a/240694/197901 \$\endgroup\$ Oct 8, 2014 at 1:37
  • \$\begingroup\$ One option would be, without using block quotes, to keep said emphasis, would be to write it like #**Foo** class \$\endgroup\$
    – Phrancis
    Oct 8, 2014 at 2:16

1 Answer 1

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Use blockquotes for blockquotes. Use headers for headers. There is no guarantee that blockquotes will look like nice headers on all Stack Exchange interfaces, including the desktop, mobile, and Android/iOS apps. Furthermore, we expect the site to be redesigned soon for graduation, and blockquote rendering may change.

In fact, now might be a good time to make a suggestion for how headers should be rendered in the new site design.

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