I thing not enforcing 80 characters means eventually word wrapping.
IMO, any length chosen for a max-width line is not always appropriate and word wrapping should be a possible answer.
And that is not as easy as it sound.
It is implemented in jedit
(source: jedit.org) which offers word wrap
But it is bitterly missed in eclipse from a looong time ! (since 2003 in fact), mainly because a word wrap for text editor involves:
- Wrapped line information is for the text viewer, code navigation, vertical rulers.
- Unwrapped line information is required for functionalities like goto line, line numbering ruler column, current line highlight, saving file.
