Code Formatting Instructions for Developer Forums

Question

Although this topic only applies to the two Developer forums, the need for some upfront code formatting instructions in those forums is desperate. There may be hundreds of threads which include one or more messages on this subject. In my case alone, I've posted at least a dozen messages each containing these three lines:
Paste your code here.
Of course a quick search of either Dev forum on the keys +code formatting+ will find the above right away, but those who need help the most don't know code requires special formatting so won't be making that search. For the same reason, neither the excellent instructions in the User Tips Library nor the pertinent threads in this forum are likely to be discovered before they're needed. The +Help & Terms of Use+ FAQ might seem to be a good place for the instructions, but this has been proposed so many times before I'm sure it will never happen. The need is confined to the Dev forums afterall.
I think the solution would be a permanent post (similar to +How to Post a new Topic+ in this forum) at the top of both Dev forums. I don't think most developers want to see instructions on any other topic at the top of the forums, but a brief note titled +How to Post Code+ might make everyone's life easier.
Assuming most of the other developers agree, how could we make this happen?

Answer 1

Thanks so much for helping with this, Nubz!
Joerg's instructions are excellent. I refer to them often and I've had them bookmarked since I found Apple Discussions last year. The new Code section is great!! Very clear!
Now we just need to find a way to get users to that page. Our problem has never been with users who are interested enough in Apple Discussions to visit the Tips Library. The unformatted code is coming from first-time users--not necessarily novice coders, but programmers of all skill levels who aren't coming here to learn about the forums or relate to the community. These folks are focused on their current project, may have found no answers anywhere else, and arrive here with tunnel vision. Often there's a language problem as well.
The newly arrived OP will often start the thread with a page of unformatted code. Those of us with eyes used to filling in the missing brackets, indentation etc. can sometimes decypher the mess, but usually we need to give formatting instructions and ask the OP to repost. The frequency of this scenario has been increasing. Lately I've been posting those instructions almost once every day.
Of course that's a good sign! We've been giving good service down there and the number of newcomers seems to be reflecting that. A big percentage have turned into regulars, so I think we have a very healthy forum. It's just the formatting cycle gets old, and the time and bytes add up too.
My suggestion is this:
One yellow moderator announcement that stays in the first position on the topic page for both dev forums. The subject line is:
To format code: Paste your code here
The user doesn't even need to open the message. Only developers will see this. No change to the page header is needed. If the user does open the message, a link will be provided to Joerg's tips.
- Ray