David Robinow wrote:
On Wed, May 20, 2009 at 1:44 PM, Raymond Hettinger <python@rcn.com> wrote:
Maybe the origin of the 80 char limit isn't an anachronism. Maybe it had nothing to do with teletypes and low resolution CRTs. Perhaps, the programming gods of old were reaching into the future with certain knowledge that they were forcing everyone to do the right thing. Actually, 80 is the number of columns in a Hollerith card. It would be totally stupid to write code that couldn't be punched!
It is also the maximum number of chars that one can sensibly type on US standard office paper. 8 " X 10 char/" + 1/4 inch margin on each side. (or nearly 1" margin with 12 pitch). I thought the stdlib guideline was so that people could print stdlib files.