[thebricksta]

I assume you are talking about finger-style guitar here. In that case, most beginner books are very strict about providing staff + tab marked up with right hand finger suggestions. As the player progresses (and depending on the style), right hand fingers may progress to simply being assigned a string, or whatever feels comfortable on that line. Individual differences in technique and style can shine here.

If you are talking about picking, then that's simply a matter of picking the string. Both notations are adequate for annotating specific picking techniques. In my opinion, some muting techniques are a bit easier to read in tab notation.

[rimliu]

Or it can be about strumming (which I think is the case).