[comp.unix.questions] mail word wrapping

AAD%GOLD.SCRIBE.COM@VB.CC.CMU.EDU (01/22/88)

Couldn't you just write a program to wrap its input at n columns, then
run mail as a pipe

wrap | mail

?

ahv@s.cc.purdue.edu (Jerry L. Bloomfield) (01/22/88)

I don't know about anyone else,  but I agree with the general philosophy
of our Unix-Group programmers,  why re-invent the wheel?  The desired
effect can be handled via vi (at least in our BSD4.3 on a Vax 780 and
Dynix2.0 on a Sequent Balance 21000).  All one needs to do is to use
the wrapmargin (i.e. :set wm=#, where # is the number of spaces from
the right hand side of the screen).  All of this information is in the 
ex manuals.  In order to use this just hit a ~v at the beginning of a
line and presto,  you're in vi on the letter.

Sorry if It sounds like I'm trying to baby anyone,  but "Why re-invent the
wheel?"

					      -Jerry Bloomfield
					      --s.cc.purdue.edu!ahv
					      ---sps@newton.physics.purdue.edu