Soft return
Encyclopedia
In word processing
and text-oriented markup language
s the term soft return can mean a line break due to word wrap
ping. Alternatively it can mean a stored line break that is not a paragraph break. For example, it is common to print postal addresses in a multiple-line format, but the several lines are understood to be a single paragraph. A soft return is contrasted with a hard return
, which is usually a carriage return
.
word processors Microsoft Word
and OpenOffice.org
, users are expected to type a carriage return (enter key
) between each paragraph. Formatting settings, such as first-line indentation or spacing between paragraphs, take effect where the carriage return marks the break. A non-paragraph
line break, which is a soft return, is inserted using shift
-enter or via the menus, and is provided for cases when the text should start on a new line but none of the other side effects of starting a new paragraph are desired.
there is a <br> tag that has the same purpose as the soft return in word processors described above.
character set provides a line separator character as well as a paragraph separator to represent the semantics of the soft return and hard return.
Word processing
Word processing is the creation of documents using a word processor. It can also refer to advanced shorthand techniques, sometimes used in specialized contexts with a specially modified typewriter.-External links:...
and text-oriented markup language
Markup language
A markup language is a modern system for annotating a text in a way that is syntactically distinguishable from that text. The idea and terminology evolved from the "marking up" of manuscripts, i.e. the revision instructions by editors, traditionally written with a blue pencil on authors' manuscripts...
s the term soft return can mean a line break due to word wrap
Word wrap
In text display, line wrap is the feature of continuing on a new line when a line is full, such that each line fits in the viewable window, allowing text to be read from top to bottom without any horizontal scrolling....
ping. Alternatively it can mean a stored line break that is not a paragraph break. For example, it is common to print postal addresses in a multiple-line format, but the several lines are understood to be a single paragraph. A soft return is contrasted with a hard return
Hard return
A hard return is a paragraph break in a word processor. It differs from a soft return in that it starts a new paragraph. Besides affecting the document statistics, this means that:*Often, extra space and a first line indent will be inserted....
, which is usually a carriage return
Carriage return
Carriage return, often shortened to return, refers to a control character or mechanism used to start a new line of text.Originally, the term "carriage return" referred to a mechanism or lever on a typewriter...
.
Word processors
In the contemporary graphicalGraphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
word processors Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
and OpenOffice.org
OpenOffice.org
OpenOffice.org, commonly known as OOo or OpenOffice, is an open-source application suite whose main components are for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases. OpenOffice is available for a number of different computer operating systems, is distributed as free software...
, users are expected to type a carriage return (enter key
Enter key
In computer keyboards, the enter key in most cases causes a command line, window form, or dialog box to operate its default function...
) between each paragraph. Formatting settings, such as first-line indentation or spacing between paragraphs, take effect where the carriage return marks the break. A non-paragraph
Paragraph
A paragraph is a self-contained unit of a discourse in writing dealing with a particular point or idea. A paragraph consists of one or more sentences. The start of a paragraph is indicated by beginning on a new line. Sometimes the first line is indented...
line break, which is a soft return, is inserted using shift
Shift key
The shift key is a modifier key on a keyboard, used to type capital letters and other alternate "upper" characters. There are typically two shift keys, on the left and right sides of the row below the home row...
-enter or via the menus, and is provided for cases when the text should start on a new line but none of the other side effects of starting a new paragraph are desired.
Markup languages
In text-oriented markup languages, a soft return is typically offered as a markup tag. For example, in HTMLHTML
HyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages....
there is a <br> tag that has the same purpose as the soft return in word processors described above.
Unicode
The UnicodeUnicode
Unicode is a computing industry standard for the consistent encoding, representation and handling of text expressed in most of the world's writing systems...
character set provides a line separator character as well as a paragraph separator to represent the semantics of the soft return and hard return.
- 0x2028 LINE SEPARATOR
- * may be used to represent this semantic unambiguously
- 0x2029 PARAGRAPH SEPARATOR
- * may be used to represent this semantic unambiguously