Re: [PATCH 1/4] ptsname_r: new module

[Jim Meyering]

Bruno Haible wrote:

> Hi Jim, all,
>
>> >> I suggest using @tie{} between os (or program or ...) names and
>> >> versions.  That way the line breaks come out ok in both the source and
>> >> the output.
>> >
>> > Indeed, the result looks better (at least in HTML). I tested
>> ...
>> I find that the mark-up renders the texi less readable, and obviously
>> less copy&pastable.
>> Maybe it's just that I don't (yet?) have some Emacs texi-viewing mode
>> enabled that hides those @tie{}s.
>>
>> However, I do recognize the value in better formatting.
>>
>> Tough call.  I'm slightly in favor of adding the @tie directives.
>
> I'm also slightly in favour of good typography.
>
> But I'll do it by using no-break spaces in the .texi files. Like this:

Oh, noooo :-)
Please don't use non-breaking spaces.
Anything but that.

They tend to cause confusion (at least with me)
because they look like a space in many contexts, yet when you search
for the explicit space, you will not find those as matches.

With non-breaking spaces, anyone searching for "Mac OS..." or "AIX 5.x"
in our documentation will have to know about your choice.  Most of
us will be surprised to find few or no matches initially.

Non-breaking spaces are generally seen as an undesirable artifact,
and that is why they are highlighted much like trailing blanks.
They represent a way to un-normalize the code.
At least until now.  Please do not use them deliberately.