The number, point and metric systems of font size

Abstract

号制和点制是计算机文字处理中表示字形尺寸的最常用标准。论文简单叙述这两种标准的历史和现状,给出一个含Word2003所有字号的“号-点-厘米”对照表,并介绍对照表数据的实验获取方法和多种用途。最后,在深入分析讨论号制和点制的种种缺陷的基础上提出字形度量全球统一使用米制的构想。 The point system and number system are the most commonly-used standards for font size measurement in China and the world.In this paper a brief introduction to the history and technical contents of both systems is given.Then a font size"number-point-millimeter"cross reference table with first-hand data from experiment is presented,followed by a description of some important applications of the table.Finally a unified metric system for font measurement is proposed,based on an in-depth discussion on the deficiencies of the point and number systems.