The end of a line. Also called "EOL" (end-of-line), "newline," "return" and "hard return," when typing into a computer and the enter key is pressed, a line break code is inserted. If typing commands on a command line, the line break indicates that the command has been entered and should be executed. If typing text, it means the end of line or paragraph has been reached and subsequent text goes to the beginning of the next line.

In word processing documents, line break codes, along with font and other page layout codes, are normally hidden within the text; however, a special, expanded mode may reveal all codes. Some text editors display the line break with a paragraph symbol (see below) or other character.

The Codes Are Different
In Windows and DOS, the line break code is a carriage return followed by a line feed (CR/LF). In the Unix/Linux world, the code is only the line feed (LF). In older Mac applications, the code was only a carriage return (CR); however, Mac OS X, which is Unix based, uses the LF and also supports documents with only CRs. If line breaks are not converted correctly between platforms, they can cause text to display and print improperly. See soft return.