[Python-ideas] 80 character line width vs. something wider

[Terry Reedy]

David Robinow wrote:
> On Wed, May 20, 2009 at 1:44 PM, Raymond Hettinger <python at 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.