TeX, LaTeX, space, tab shortcut

Question

Is there a better than '\quad' way to style text like on the picture? I mean the space before and after dash. Is using '\quad' after 'inputs:' to make space in next line like after 'tab' a good idea?

Inputs:
\\ \quad \quad $G = \langle{V,E}\rangle$ \quad - \quad a weighted graph
\\ \quad \quad $v_ 0$ \quad  - \quad the initial node to determine distances from

Answer 1

You could use a tabular:

For an overview over available commands for horizontal spacing, take a look at: What commands are there for horizontal spacing?

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{array}
\begin{document}
Inputs:
\begin{tabular}{@{\quad}>{(}l<{)} @{\enspace-\enspace} l }
 G = \langle{V,E}\rangle & a weighted graph \
 v_ 0                    & the initial node to determine distances from
\end{tabular}
\end{document}