Re: FW: ban the use and implementation of UTF-7

• From: Jon Hanna <jon@hackcraft.net>
• Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 18:31:06 +0000
• To: Misha Wolf <Misha.Wolf@reuters.com>
• CC: www-international@w3.org, ietf-charsets@iana.org
• Message-ID: <45882FEA.5050604@hackcraft.net>

Misha Wolf wrote:
> It seems completely unnecessary given the now ubiquitous use of 8-bit
> clean transports and the presence of UTF-8, which IIRC was defined
> long after UTF-7.  However, the wider community may be aware of
> some reason why browsers should support it, so I'd like to hear
> your comments.


I somewhat suspect that browsers support UTF-7 due to either:
1. The necessary transcoding is done by a library or OS service and 
UTF-7 is one of the charsets the library gives you, so coding for one 
codes for all.
2. The necessary transcoding is done by a charset nerd. S/he really 
likes charsets. UTF-7 is yet another they can add to their work and 
hence feel that bit more complete.

Received on Tuesday, 19 December 2006 18:32:09 UTC