Re: [csswg-drafts] [css-grid] Decide on a name for `item-slack` (#10884)

I think the focus needs to be on describing the extra space and not the result of that extra space to keep the property semantically distinct.  `item-cram-tolerance` describes only one of the potential result - cramming more elements in a specific space - but according to the explainer, and if I understand correctly, that's not necessarily what would happen in a grid/masonry scenario. The name of the property, in my opinion, needs to say: "Here's a value that describes extra space for your calculation, wether it be for compacting or positioning the next item." When I think about it that way, I'd rather forgo the `fit` as a prefix and it makes me consider `ìtem-fit` alone, `item-boundary`, `item-cap`, `item-edge`, `item-bleed` or `item-safety` (those last two inspired by print design).

Just to sum up my understanding:

In flexbox, a higher number will allow a larger element to be compacted into the current row before the algorithm moves to the next. If in the current row there is `20em` of space left, if the `item-tolerance` is `10em` and if the next item to place is `30em`, that item will be crammed into the `20em` that's left with potential recalculations depending on the packing, spacing and stretching properties. With an `item-tolerance` of `9em`, the cutoff point would be at `29em` and so the next item would be placed on a new row.

In grid, a higher number will allow to re-equalize columns in a specific direction. If column 1 has `10em` of free space, column 2 has `20em` of free space, the next item should usually be placed in column 2 to fill the column that has the most empty space. An `item-tolerance` of `10em` would place the next item in column 1 instead of column 2 because both columns would now be considered having `20em` free space - it effectively "virtually" backfills the empty space with the value we provide and then restarts its column choice algorithm.

 Please correct me if I'm wrong in my current understanding.

But if all of this is right, `item-tolerance`, `item-fit` alone and `item-threshold` are much more specific in what they accomplish while being generic enough to accommodate both display-mode paradigms graciously.

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Received on Tuesday, 1 April 2025 09:38:33 UTC