> > > > Picking the default too high is a bad idea though; login names are
> > > > stored in lots of files, e.g. the wtmp, and if you make them
> > > > ridiculously long you'll waste a lot of space.
> > >
> > > Especially if there are hacks fumbling with fixed length records.
> > 
> > given the nature of some of the files involved, using fixed length
> > records may be a hack, but it's a hack which allows the files to be
> > used with some semblance of efficiency.
> 
> Just a semblance of efficiency, but I would guess that is more the
> result of someones first program.

Piffle.

Fixed sized records are in all ways easier to use, read, write, and
buffer than variable-length records, and in this case, ease of use
translates into code size and efficiency.



cgd