> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Sun, 26 Aug 2007 17:37:02 -0600 > To: stdcxx-dev@incubator.apache.org > Subject: Re: svn commit: r569152 - > /incubator/stdcxx/branches/4.2.0/etc/config/src/LIMITS.cpp > > Mark Brown wrote: >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> Sent: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:29:36 -0600 >>> To: stdcxx-dev@incubator.apache.org >>> Subject: Re: svn commit: r569152 - >>> /incubator/stdcxx/branches/4.2.0/etc/config/src/LIMITS.cpp >>> >>> Andrew, please be sure to observe the 78 characters/line limit >>> in Change Log entries as documented in bullet (3) of the Patch >>> Format section on the Bugs page: >>> http://incubator.apache.org/stdcxx/bugs.html#patch_format >>> >>> The reason for this limit in both ChangeLogs and source files >>> is that they all need to be readable on traditional VT100 text >>> terminals. >> >> I have seen coding styles with a 79 character limit (for instance >> Python) but I am curious what the rationale for the 78 character limit >> is when even the VT100 displays have 80 columns? > > Opening a file with 80 characters per line in emacs with a buffer > width set to 80 columns will wrap the last character of the next > line. So if all you have to work with is an 80x24 text terminal > and want to run emacs in it you want files to have no more than > 79 characters per line. You can recreate this experience in an > xterm or similar terminal by setting it to 80 characters and > starting emacs with the -nw option.
If I understand correctly what you're describing, emacs -nw will display lines with up to 79 characters in a 80 column frame without wrapping. What, then, is the rationale for at most 78 characters? -- Mark
