Homonym: whitespace (Formatting)
Whitespace refers to the empty spaces in a design or layout that help to create balance and improve readability. It is not just the absence of content; rather, it plays a crucial role in guiding the viewer's eye and enhancing the overall aesthetic of a page. Effective use of whitespace can make text easier to read and highlight important elements.
In programming, whitespace refers to any character or series of characters that represent horizontal or vertical space in code, such as spaces, tabs, and line breaks. While often ignored by compilers, proper use of whitespace can improve code readability and organization, making it easier for developers to understand and maintain their work.