CRLF
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Programming
| Stands for | Carriage return and line feed |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
CRLF stands for Carriage return and line feed, a programming abbreviation.
The two-character sequence, written \r\n with ASCII codes 13 and 10, that ends lines in Windows text files and in internet protocols such as HTTP, SMTP and FTP.
Example: The bash script failed on Linux because Windows saved it with CRLF line endings.
Usage notes
The pair comes from typewriters and teleprinters, where a carriage return moved the print head to the start of the line and a line feed advanced the paper. Unix chose a lone LF, which is why converting files between systems matters. Editors such as VS Code show CRLF or LF in the status bar and can switch between them.
Related abbreviations
More programming abbreviations
- CLI – Command-line interface
- CLR – Common Language Runtime
- COBOL – Common Business-Oriented Language
- COM – Component Object Model
- COW – Copy-on-write
- CQRS – Command Query Responsibility Segregation
- CRUD – Create, read, update, delete
- CVS – Concurrent Versions System
- DAO – Data access object
- DDD – Domain-driven design
- DFS – Depth-first search
- DI – Dependency injection