Re: [Nmh-workers] nmh architecture discussion: format engine character set

[Ralph Corderoy]

Hi Ken,

> > > Specifically, they assume all output is in UTF-8 (because that's
> > > how Plan 9 works), but that's not a valid assumption for us.
> >
> > Aside from whether that stdio would be helpful, is it time we switch
> > to assuming UTF-8?
> 
> So ... what would that mean, exactly?  Ignore the locale setting and
> always output UTF-8?

Well, yes, the code would be writing UTF-8, with the knowledge of how
many cells have been occupied, e.g. one for the combining `a⃞', but it
could complain about the non-UTF-8 locale setting, or try and set up
`fire and forget' converter on open and opening files if it was easy
enough to be worth the bother.

Cheers, Ralph.