[COFF] editor wars

[Paul Winalski]

On Sun, Jul 20, 2025 at 1:52 PM Clem Cole <clemc at ccc.com> wrote:

>
> So features like embedded line numbers (or not) would get into the war.
>

Line numbers of course were critically important in the punch card days.
Card columns 73-80 were reserved for line sequence numbers.  Some of the
fancier keypunches could read a card deck and put the line sequence numbers
in for you.  A sequenced deck was a godsend if you happened to drop the
deck on the floor.  Just put the deck in a card sorter and sort on cols.
73-80 and you're back in business.

In editors for non-screen terminals the line numbers provided an easy way
to reposition the editor within the text stream.

-Paul W.
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