Difference between CR LF, LF and CR line break types?

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Line break types, specifically CR LF (Carriage Return Line Feed), LF (Line Feed), and CR (Carriage Return), represent different ways to denote the end of a line or start a new line in text files. These line break types are used in various operating systems and text editors. Here's a brief explanation of each with examples:

  1. CR LF (Carriage Return Line Feed):

    • Representation: It consists of two control characters, a Carriage Return (CR, \r) followed by a Line Feed (LF, \n).

    • Usage: CR LF line breaks are commonly used in text files on Windows-based systems.

    • Example:

      mathematica
    • Line 1\r\n
Line 2\r\n
Line 3\r\n

  • LF (Line Feed):

    • Representation: It consists of a single Line Feed character (LF, \n).

    • Usage: LF line breaks are commonly used in text files on Unix and Unix-like systems, including Linux and macOS.

    • Example:

      mathematica
    • Line 1\n
Line 2\n
Line 3\n

  • CR (Carriage Return):

    • Representation: It consists of a single Carriage Return character (CR, \r).

    • Usage: CR line breaks were used in older Macintosh systems, but they are less common in modern systems.

    • Example:

      mathematica
      • Line 1\r
Line 2\r
Line 3\r

    In practice, the choice of line break type can cause compatibility issues when opening files on different systems. Many text editors and IDEs can handle different line break types, but it's essential to be aware of the conventions used by the operating system you're working with and ensure that your text files follow the appropriate line break type.

    For example, if you're working on a Windows system and want to share a text file with Unix-based systems, you should use LF line breaks in your file. Similarly, if you're working on a Unix-based system and want to share with Windows users, you should use CR LF line breaks.

    Modern text editors often handle these line break types transparently, but it's still helpful to be aware of the differences to avoid potential issues when working with text files across different platforms.

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