I have this annoying problem since long. I use to type quite fast, and it happens to me that after inserting a special character using the "alt" key I probably do not wait enough to press the space bar. I don't see the difference then, but then when the command is interpreted in the terminal, or the script I just wrote is executed, lots of errors come up because there are hidden strange characters (gremlins). Is there any way I can avoid this?
MacOS – Typing too fast, strange hidden characters
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Related Solutions
I had a similar issue but solved it in a different way.
I simply "modified" the keyboard layout to the level it suits my needs and uses.
If you press and hold a certain key example "a" a pop up will show me all options for it.
Here is how it works.
Find a file in /System/Library/Input Methods/PressAndHold.app/Contents/Resources that is your keyboard Keyboard-??.plist (in my case it is called Keyboard-de.plist (German keyboard)
Copy that file to your Desktop (to modify it) since you can not modify the original file.
Open it (it will open in Text mode)
Find for example the "c" it looks like this (and I added the Portuguese ç)
<key>Roman-Accent-C</key>
<dict>
<key>Direction</key>
<string>left</string>
<key>Keycaps</key>
<string>C Č č Ç</string>
<key>Strings</key>
<string>C Č č ç</string>
</dict>
now add any "c" accents you like to use (Open the Character Viewer and find it) and just drag it over to the text file.
Once done replace the original keyboard-??.plist file with yours.
Now you have a highly customized keyboard specific to your uses, and no need to remember some finger breaking key combination to get it.
Sticky Keys will do that.
System Prefs > Accessibility > Keyboard
It removes the need to hold a modifier key before pressing the associated key to be modified.
You can set options to make it switchable, beep when used, or display the modifier on-screen
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Best Answer
Your option + space combination defaults to a non-breaking space and several options to remove that binding exist.
Whether you choose to show invisible characters in your editor to manually proof for these issues or use a lint type tool or change the behavior of the system depends on whether you can avoid typing that combination after knowing it exists.