#Uploads/Downloads
6 messages in this thread
I've uploaded a text file from another computer to mine. The sender didn't
remove the appropriate carriage returns or line feeds, so the file is
double-spaced in ed. When I put the text into CityDesk project, the extra line
feed (or carriage return?) prints out as a quad character.
As you can tell, I know little about this. I'm not sure what the extra
character per line is, but I'd like to get rid of it. Can anyone tell me how
to do so without having my friend upload the file again?
Also, how about some background on the problem? Why do some computers need two
characters to get a new line when the Amiga does fine with one?
Tony,
That extra character is a carriage return. There are several ways to get rid
of it. One method is to run a filter program on the file; there are several
here in the DLs. Another is to load it into a text editor and do a search and
replace: change all instances of $0D <CR> to nothing.
As to why, it has to do with the history of the operating system. Most micro
OSes which grew up from other micro OSes use a CRLF pair. DEC VMS systems use
CR only, internally. UNIX systems use LF only, internally. AmigaDOS is based
on Trip(e)OS, a system which uses LF only, ala UNIX.
Really, it's just a matter of implementation; there's not much rational
reasoning behind it that I can find. 8)
Rick
Thanks, Rick. I'll give the text editor a try. Also, thnx for the
explanation.
Tony
Because traditionally a Carriage Return (CR) puts you back at the left margin
and a Line Feed (LF) moves you down a line. The combination puts you back at
the left margin AND down a line. The need for that combination is so common,
however, that many systems assume that when they get just one of them (CR or
LF, as the case may be). I seem to recall that if you do RAW i/o on the Amiga,
the two characters have their traditional meanings. The traditional meaning of
Carriage-Return as well is useful on some systems when you want to over-print.
Thanks to you, too, Doug. After reading Rick's message, I loaded the file into
Scribble. I used the Default Format command (the menu item) to change from
CR+LF to LF only, and then wrote the file back to disk. Looks great now!
Tony
Tony:
There is a special reason for using LF for the CR/LF rather than CR for
both. If you want a new line you need the line feed but if you want to
overprint you don't want to have to do a reverse line feed. That is there may
be times when you want a CR without a LF but seldom any occassion where you
would want a LF that a CR would hurt you. That applies mainly to printers of
course but even helps for some terminal type programs. 73, bill