Re: Adequacy of min-colors thresholds

On Monday, July 13th, 2026 at 11:11 PM, Eli Zaretskii <[email protected]> wrote:

> > Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2026 21:46:38 +0000
> > From: Heime <[email protected]>
> >
> > I have Specified different styling for different display environments.
> > But do not know whether it is appropriate or sufficient.
> >
> > What min-colors should I include?  Is it (min-colors 8), (min-colors 16),
> > and (min-colors 88)?  Would one go beyond 88, and is 8 too uncommon these
> > days when using emacs?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > (defface kronaire-highlight
> >   '((((class color) (min-colors 88) (background light))
> >      :background "darkseagreen2")
> >     (((class color) (min-colors 88) (background dark))
> >      :background "darkolivegreen")
> >     (((class color) (min-colors 16) (background light))
> >      :background "darkseagreen2")
> >     (((class color) (min-colors 16) (background dark))
> >      :background "darkolivegreen")
> >     (((class color) (min-colors 8))
> >      :background "green" :foreground "black")
> >     (t :inverse-video t))
> >
> >   "Basic type face for kronaire display Unit."
> >   :group 'kronaire-faces)
> 
> The rule of thumb is: unless you must use very fine differences
> between colors, don't use min-colors at all.  Emacs is quite capable
> of choosing the best match to "darkseagreen2" even if a color by that
> name is not directly supported.
 
I'm aware of the capability you mention.  Nevertheless, what values
would you suggest to test for min-colors?  Are 8, 16, and 88 still
relevant?  Would you include others, perhaps beyond 88?  What would 
be appropriate values for systems that are still in operation at this
time?