> it sets --maximum-line-length=79

I'd even reduce line length on pure PODs.

A little googling shows that normal print publications tend to limit pure text lines between 45 and 65 characters.

This makes sense, since readability depends on easy eye movement and minimized hassle to find the continuing line.

Extending this to 70-80 for code is also sensible since

• indentation adding whitespace to the left and
• low density of statements per line

still allow to move the eye fluently without loosing the line.

Consequently dense paragraphs in POD should be limited to 65 at most.

Couldn't find a setting for that in Perl::Tidy , but it should be possible in emacs.

PS: I have to admit that "hanging" comments on the right make this calculation more complicated.