The GNU coding standards are primarily used by GNU projects, though its use is not limited to GNU projects alone.
The [[Linux kernel]] strongly discourages this style for kernel code, and refers to the style pejoratively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/CodingStyleprocess/coding-style.rst|title=Linux kernel coding style|website=kernel.org|access-date=121 AugustJanuary 20162017|quote=First off, I'd suggest printing out a copy of the GNU coding standards, and NOT read it. Burn them, it's a great symbolic gesture.}}</ref> [[Steve McConnell]], in his book [[Code Complete]], also advises against using this style; he marks a code sample which uses it with a "Coding Horror" icon, symbolizing especially dangerous code, and states that it impedes readability.<ref>{{cite book |title=Code Complete: A practical handbook of software construction |last=McConnell |first=Steve |publisher=Microsoft Press |year=2004 |isbn=0-7356-1967-0 |___location=Redmond, WA |pages=746–747 |authorlink=Steve McConnell}}</ref>
