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Re: Zero Width Space (was Re: How to print a literal '.' as the first c
From: |
James K. Lowden |
Subject: |
Re: Zero Width Space (was Re: How to print a literal '.' as the first character in a line?) |
Date: |
Sat, 4 Jun 2022 15:23:36 -0400 |
On Thu, 5 May 2022 03:40:27 -0500
Dave Kemper <saint.snit@gmail.com> wrote:
> To cite the example that originally launched this thread, the old
> docs termed the \& a "zero width space," which Branden has changed to
> the "non-printing input break." It may not roll off the tongue as
> easily, but it's more precise and descriptive about what the escape
> does: it affects how input is parsed, not how output is rendered.
> It's not kin to other space escapes like \~ or \|, as the original
> term implied.
I disagree. That's not what it does.
The zero width space does not "affect how input is parsed". It's
parsed like all other input -- indeed, exactly like \| and \~. Its only
distinction from them is on output.
To insert \& at the start of a line does not affect how the input is
parsed. *Any* character before a leading dot prevents the dot from
being interpreted as a request. The salient difference is that \&
introduces nothing into the output stream. Hence, "zero width".
To me, the term "non-printing input break" verges on nonsense because
it suggests there might be such a thing as "printing input". There is
not: input is processed and rendered as output. Input is no
more printed than it is written to the keyboard.
I humbly suggest on this point we return to status quo ante. A "zero
width space" is perfectly clear terminology. The fact that \& is used
occasionally to prevent non-requests from being interpreted as requests
is incidental, easily explained and understood. Does anyone remember
being confused by it? I don't.
--jkl
- Re: Zero Width Space (was Re: How to print a literal '.' as the first character in a line?),
James K. Lowden <=
- Re: Zero Width Space (was Re: How to print a literal '.' as the first character in a line?), G. Branden Robinson, 2022/06/04
- Re: Zero Width Space (was Re: How to print a literal '.' as the first character in a line?), Dave Kemper, 2022/06/04
- Re: Zero Width Space (was Re: How to print a literal '.' as the first character in a line?), Deri, 2022/06/04
- Re: Zero Width Space (was Re: How to print a literal '.' as the first character in a line?), Dave Kemper, 2022/06/05
- Re: Zero-Width Space., Ralph Corderoy, 2022/06/05
- Re: Zero Width Space (was Re: How to print a literal '.' as the first character in a line?), Richard Morse, 2022/06/05
- Re: Zero Width Space, Ingo Schwarze, 2022/06/05
- Re: Zero Width Space, Ralph Corderoy, 2022/06/05