I wrote a little python script that prints a large 
dictionary to stdout (simply using 'print 
mydictionary').

In fact, the type is irrelevant, what matters is that 
the resulting output had approx. 200,000 characters.

The shell prints the dictionary into a single line, 
which causes the window to be almost non-responding, 
e.g. when I try to scroll the window.

Even on a high-end PC it takes a minute or even 
longer to react to anything.

I use Python 2.4.2 on Windows XP SP2.

I am aware that it is not exactly wise to print such 
large objects, but I usually print return values to 
stdout when I debug a script, and I do not always 
expect an object to be that large.

The average text editor handles such long lines much 
better.

A quick workaround might be to break very long lines 
automagically (perhaps at around column 1000).

PS: I already observed the bug some years ago. I 
think I even submitted it to python or idlefork a 
long time ago but I was unable to find it in the 
buglist.