WP ASCII Formatting
15 messages in this thread
Whenever I export a file in ASCII format from Amiga WordPerfect and
then upload it to the Libs in another forum, I sometimes get complaints
from people that the formatting is off. Usually PC and Mac users say that
the end of each line in the file only contains a CR instead of a CR+LF.
What's the best way to save a file in ASCII format so that it will be
formatted correctly on all computer platforms? Or is WordPerfect incapable
of this and will I have to use another program? I thought that ASCII was
ASCII.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Dom Fontana
<– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>
Dom,
For that purpose, try exporting IBM text rather than Amiga text. IBM
requires both CR and LF, while the AMiga needs only CR
—Betty
Betty,
Amiga needs LF, Mac needs CR, PC needs both (and so much more <g>).
Malcolm
Betty
you're right about IBMs needing CR & LF, but the Amiga uses LF (not CR).
Mike
PS … unfortunately, I can't find the original message on my HD so this
may not be terribly relevant 🙂
Well – I do get it backwards, don't I? Sorry about that.
—Betty
Betty,
Thanks for the info on exporting IBM Text. I'll try that. However, will
the IBM Text format properly for Amiga users? Will I have to upload two
different text files so that they'll format properly for both Amiga and
IBM/Mac/Atari users?
That is, will I have to export Amiga Text files for use with the Amiga
and then export IBM Text for use with IBM/Mac/Atari? When I upload ASCII
files to multi-platform Forums, I want all those who download them to get
the proper formatting, regardless of the computer platform they are
using.
Thanks for your help.
Dom Fontana
<– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>
I think you can answer that question for yourself… when you download a
text file with your Amiga from CIS that has been uploaded by a PC'er, do
you have any problems with the text format?
Dominick,
I can't recall if and when I have downloaded a PC text file.
Dom Fontana
<– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>
Dom, I'm not sure. The only difference I know about would be that some
would get double spacing and others single spacing. There are utilities
in the library that will take the text file and add or else strip away the
extra carriage returns. They'd be in Library 7 of AmigaUser.
Maybe someone who is working with these things currently can be of more
help that I can be. It's quite a while since I worked with anything
outside the AMigaForums.
—Betty
Betty,
Thanks. I'll check Lib. 7 for some text utilities.
Dom Fontana
<– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>
Dom,
ASCII is ASCII, but line terminators aren't. The Amiga uses just a
LF to indicate end of line, while IBM types use a CR+LF pair. Not having
used WP on the Amiga, I don't know if there's an option for the ASCII save
to add the CR.
Don
The odd thing is that ASCII does in a way define the end of line
terminator; or, more precisely, it defines CR and LF:
CR should only ever return the cursor to the start of the same line. It
should never generate a new line.
LF can either (1) move to the same position on the next line, or (2) move
to the start of the next line.
Therefore CR+LF (in definition 1) is per ASCII definition … as is LF on
its own (as definition 2).
CR on its own should only ever return the cursor to the start of the
current line … so the Mac hasn't quite got it right 🙂
There is, of course, a problem with end-of-line indicators in that they
usually serve two purposes … one is that they are simply a logical marker
for the end of a line, the other is that they define what should happen
when the line is printed. My preference would have been for ASCII to have
included an EOL character which is then converted to CR, CR+LF or LF by the
operating system as appropriate … but, in a way, that's what LF has
become.
Any good printing program should be able to work out how to handle the end
of line, be it CR, LF, CR+LF or LF+CR
Mike (from the UK)
Don,
Thanks. WP does have an IBM Text ASCII save. I've tried that and while
it was good for IBMers, if I view the file with an Amiga text editor or
reader I can see the CR symbols. (CygnusEd Pro and Dir Opus). So I'm
wondering if I should just upload my files with IBM ASCII, so to speak. I
also want my text files to be okay for Amiga users.
Dom Fontana
<– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>
Dom,
yes, upload the files in IBM ASCII, the CIS text editor and your
terminal program won't notice the difference so it'll still be ok for Amiga
users.
Don
Thanks, Don.
Dom Fontana
<– Sent from New York via AutoPilot –>