Hmm, the problem with maxsize = constant is occasionally losing a trailing digit or two.  For instance, if one enters 8**2222, one might be interested in the number of digits and put cursor at end of wrapped line.  But trailing 7 of 2007 is missing.  Is there any (sensible) way to have min with no max, like printf and python formatting?
>>> '%3d' % 1111
'1111'