# MD038 - No Space in Code Spans
## Description
Spaces inside code span elements are not allowed. Code spans are defined using backticks. This rule ensures that there are no spaces immediately inside the opening or closing backticks.
## Configuration
This rule has no configuration options.
## Examples
### Valid
```markdown
This is a `code span` example.
This is a `function example()` with internal spaces.
This is `code` with no spaces around it.
```
### Invalid
```markdown
This is a ` code span` with a space at the start.
This is a `code span ` with a space at the end.
This is a ` code span ` with spaces at both ends.
```
### Fixed
```markdown
This is a `code span` with a space at the start (fixed).
This is a `code span` with a space at the end (fixed).
This is a `code span` with spaces at both ends (fixed).
```
## Special Cases
- Code spans within code blocks are not checked
- Multiple code spans in a single line are each checked individually
- Internal spaces within code spans are allowed and preserved
- Punctuation adjacent to code spans is preserved during fixes
## Related Rules
- MD037 - Spaces inside emphasis markers