[CSS21] The width/height properties list-item, run-in and table-* display types

The 'width' property (10.2) applies to all elements except non-replaced
inline elements, table rows and row groups.  However,

(1a) nothing in the spec seems to explain its usage on list-item or
run-in elements;

(1b) nothing in the spec seems to explain its usage on table-caption,
table-header-group and table-footer-group elements;

(1c) Chapter 17 covers its usage, in varying degrees of vagueness, on
table, inline-table, table-column, table-column-group and table-cell
elements.


Probably, at least in the cases of list-item, run-in and table-caption
elements, the 'width' property appears to be applied based on the
block-like or inline-like nature of these element types.

In the case of table-header-group and table-footer-group elements, their
stated similarity to table-row-group elements is probably enough to
imply that the 'width' property doesn't apply.

In the case of table-column and table-column-group elements, 17.3 states
that the 'width' property gives the minimum width for the column, but
the chapter doesn't mention the effect of the 'width' property on
table-column-group elements in the fixed table model.


10.2 should be amended to briefly cover all this, or certainly at least
the list-item, run-in and table-caption parts.

(For the other table-related parts, this could be as simple as pointing
to Chapter 17 where appropriate.  Alternatively, Chapter 9 could mention
that the behaviour of many properties as applied to table-related
elements is described on Ch.17, thus doing a global, catch-all deferment.)

Chapter 17 should be clarified as necessary, or 10.2 amended to exclude
table-header-group and table-footer-group elements from the 'width'
property.


----

The 'height' property (10.5) applies to all elements except non-replaced
inline elements, table columns and column groups.  However,

(2a) nothing in the spec seems to explain its usage on list-item or
run-in elements;

(2b) nothing in the spec seems to explain its usage on table-caption,
table-header-group and table-footer-group elements;

(2c) Chapter 17 covers its usage, in varying degrees of vagueness, on
table, inline-table, table-row and table-cell elements; 17.5.3 states
that CSS21 doesn't define the effect of the 'height' property on
table-row-group elements.


Probably, at least in the cases of list-item, run-in and table-caption
elements, the 'height' property appears to be applied based on the
block-like or inline-like nature of these element types.

In the case of table-header-group and table-footer-group elements, their
stated similarity to table-row-group elements is probably enough to
imply that the effect of the 'width' property is undefined.


10.5 should be amended to briefly cover all this, or certainly at least
the list-item, run-in and table-caption parts.

(For the other table-related parts, this could be as simple as pointing
to Chapter 17 where appropriate.  Alternatively, Chapter 9 could mention
that the behaviour of many properties as applied to table-related
elements is described on Ch.17, thus doing a global, catch-all deferment.)

Chapter 17 should be clarified as necessary.


Cheers,
Anton Prowse
http://dev.moonhenge.net

Received on Thursday, 29 July 2010 20:19:53 UTC