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[ncovert]

I have noticed almost every XM or IT module, instead of just shortening a pattern down to the desired length (e.g. 16 or 32 rows), keeps it at 64 rows and just uses a pattern break. Why is this done? Compatibility issues? Lack of knowledge of adjustable pattern length?

[zzo38]

Maybe, the program they used to make it does not support changing the number of rows in a pattern?

[Saga Musix]

You will find that even in many tunes made with programs that support it.
- Laziness,
- the possibility to quickly undo it (in programs where resizing cannot be undone),
- experimentation,
- importing a file previously made in a format that doesn't support variable pattern lengths such as MOD/S3M,
- simply being used to it or
- simply the lack of knowledge of such a function or simply being used to doing it this way
may be reasons for it.
Besides, I'd hardly say that I've seen this in "every" XM/IT module, not even a considerable amount. I've seen it in a few tunes but there are way more modules that actually make use of variable pattern size.

[Jay]

Possibly just tradition/habit too, if the author migrated from Protracker and has 'always done it that way'...

I still use S8x (ST3) pans in Impulse tracker sometimes even though there are at least three better ways to pan an instrument. (Pan command in the volume column, 8xx, panning envelope.) Sometimes it's just easy.

[raina]

I also think some versions of FT2 used to crash easily when doing pattern-wide clipboard operations with patterns shorter than 64 rows. So, D00 was safer, even if backup.xm was saved.