Subj : Re: Max subject length: 71 or 72 chars?
To : Rob Swindell
From : Ward Dossche
Date : Tue Aug 27 2019 05:01 pm
Hi Rob,
RS> I'm pointing out the issues with the "subject" definition. Did you want
RS> me to quote the entire spec?
Oh dear ...
Something was clear for all the developers since 1990, there were a lot of
them, and now suddenly it's an issue?
RS> > And do you also know where the "71" comes from ?
RS> Well, I took 72 and subtracted 1 (for the required null byte). I assume
RS> the 72 came from 36 (the total length of the to and from fields)
RS> multiplied by 2. Is there some other significance of 71 that I'm not
RS> aware of?
My IT experience starts somewhere in the very late 1960, punchcard heaven.
A punch card had 80 columns, 1-71 were used for coding statements, 72 was the
continuation column if something didn't fit in 71 positions, then it continued
on the next card, 73-80 contained the sequence number of that card in the whole
deck of punch cards.
It's not certain but my bet is the 71 comes from there, someone's
knowledge/experience embedded in punchcard technology.
Just like the old length of the system name limited to 51 or 52 or something.
It also finds its origin in programming techniques from days gone by ... I
think.
\%/@rd
--- D'Bridge 3.99
* Origin: Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards (2:292/854)
