Procrustean string
<programming> A fixed-length string. If a string value is too long for
the allocated space, it is truncated to fit; and if it is shorter, the empty
space is padded, usually with space characters.
This is an allusion to Procrustes, a legendary robber of ancient Attica. He
bound his victims to a bed, and if they were shorter than the bed, he stretched
their limbs until they would fit; if their limbs were longer, he lopped them
off.
(1997-09-12)
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