Edits of default scoring units in answers

Question

Ever since I've been active on this site, I've usually added a score header to my answers like this:

Malbolge, 1337

i.e. just a score number, with no units. My rationale for doing this is as follows:

• bytes is the default scoring unit for code-golf. Unless otherwise stated, the default scoring unit is bytes, and this doesn't necessarily need to be repeated. I like to follow the DRY principle if possible, and code-golf seems to be an appropriate place for this as any. Conversely, if any other non-default scoring method is used (e.g. unicode characters), then I explicitly state this.
• For code-golf, score is often more than just a byte count. In some cases, there are additions to a score if for example extra command-line options or files are used. Moreover, bonuses (not popular, I know) are sometimes applied. These result in composite and/or non-integer scores. To me these scores are simply scalar values, and forcing units of bytes doesn't necessarily make sense.

This approach seems to have been acceptable until recently whereby I've received several edits from users who are apparently dismayed at the lack of "bytes".

Are such edits considered "good" corrections?

Is it acceptable to leave "bytes" out of answer headers in default code-golf answers?

I don't mind if other users always want to state "bytes".

Answer 1

Please do not make this type of edit.

• Firstly, this is a matter of personal opinion. You shouldn't be editing posts for style. There is no benefit that can come from changing "color" to "colour;" that's solely a matter of personal usage, and there's no reason to change it from one person's particular usage to that of someone else. Similarly, swapping between "bytes," "chars," "characters," and nothing isn't going to get us anywhere.

• Occasionally, I've also seen this as the only edit to a post. This is even worse. As noted in the Help Center:

  Tiny, trivial edits are discouraged - try to make the post significantly better when you edit, correcting all problems that you observe.

  Editing a post bumps it back to the top of the "active questions" list (which is actively harmful when the edit is a trivial or superfluous one), creates overhead for the original author of the post, and implies that your way is somehow "better" than somebody else's, which is simply false given that this topic has never (to my knowledge) even been addressed on meta before.

  Even when coupled with a "real" edit, micro-managing prescriptivism does not achieve anything in the long run. If you really think one way is objectively superior to another, bring it up on meta; otherwise, personal style should be left alone in edits.

• Sometimes there's a reason for why something is done a certain way. For example, vim scoring is... well, complicated; I prefer to leave the unit out because while vim answers can technically be measured in bytes, they're really keystrokes.

  As mentioned in the OP, as well, there can be a variety of other reasons to prefer one format over another. If you think you have a reasonable basis for changing the format of the header from one form to another, drop a comment on the post at the very most, and allow the OP to change the formatting if they so desire. Otherwise, don't make assumptions about whether the header format was just chosen arbitrarily.

It's perhaps also worth noting that this isn't a catch-all. Some new users don't know how to write answers using the standard template, so changing

Here is a solution in the Rust language

fn main(){println!("Hello, World!");}

to use the standard header format is still perfectly fine. The issue is with modifying one well-accepted format to conform to what is only somebody else's opinion, without ample cause or reason. Edit for correctness, not for style.

Answer 2

You're free to format your header as you like. Many people prefer having "bytes" in there (myself included), but there's nothing that says you have to do that.

Suggested edits that just try to add the word "byte" are completely superfluous and should be declined or rolled back.

Answer 3

Edits that add the scoring unit of the challenge are okay

With the exception of pop-con votes, the scoring criteria should be said in the header.

So xx bytes, yy chars, etc.

This also includes challenges that score in points, as long as the value won't change. (i.e. votes go up and down, length doesn't)