noindentation

Noindentation is a term used in various contexts, primarily in typesetting and computer programming, to describe the absence of an indentation. In typesetting, indentation refers to the blank space introduced at the beginning of a paragraph to visually separate it from the preceding text. Noindentation, therefore, means that a paragraph begins flush with the left margin, without any preceding space. This can be a stylistic choice or a technical requirement depending on the document's formatting guidelines.

In computer programming, indentation is crucial for code readability. It visually structures the code, indicating the scope of loops, conditional statements, and functions. Noindentation in programming would mean that lines of code are not shifted to the right to denote their belonging to a particular block. While some programming languages are sensitive to indentation (like Python), others use other delimiters. The absence of intended indentation in code that normally uses it can lead to syntax errors or make the code extremely difficult to understand and maintain. The term emphasizes the lack of a visual cue that aids in parsing and comprehending structured information.