20 Jul
2025
20 Jul
'25
6:35 p.m.
On Sun, Jul 20, 2025 at 1:52 PM Clem Cole <clemc(a)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.