Should you have spaces on both sides of a slash mark?

Yes, it is generally recommended to have spaces on both sides of a slash mark when it separates two distinct ideas or options. For example, "and/or" is commonly written without spaces, but "option 1 / option 2" is clearer with spaces. However, in some contexts, such as in technical writing or when abbreviating, spaces may not be necessary. Always consider the style guide relevant to your writing.