Re: binary-io, opposable-thumb, pack/unpack (was Re: binary-io(was Re: rfc 2045 base64 encoding/decoding module))

[sen_ml at eccosys dot com]

i am looking for some (or at least one) good definitions of
"character" in the context of the current binary-io discussion.

according to r5rs:

  Characters are objects that represent printed characters such as
  letters and digits.

i presume this does not rule out the possibility of a character
representing something that is not a printed character -- at least it
seems like that has to be the case if ports are to be used in the
context of manipulating files containing arbitrary bytes.

i had a look at the "teach yourself scheme" tutorial, foldoc (thank
you, Nicolas Neuss, for the resource), and r5rs, but still no
satisfactory definition.  i'll check sicp when i get home.

p.s. thanks to everyone who suggested that i buy sicp, i am finding it
very enlightening.  i wish it wasn't so bulky though...it'd be nice to
be able to read its contents via a pda.