Re: [CSS21] Issues with inline formatting model (particularly 10.8)

Hello all,

>>> 10.6.1 Inline, non-replaced elements
>>> (http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS21/visudet.html#inline-non-replaced) :
>>>
>>>   # The vertical padding, border and margin of an inline, non-replaced
>>>   # box start at the top and bottom of the content area, not the
>>>   # 'line-height'.

(...)

>>> 10.8 Line height calculations
>>> (http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS21/visudet.html#line-height) :
>>>
>>>   # The height of a line box is determined as follows:
>>>
>>>   #    1. The height of each inline box in the line box is calculated
>>>   #       (see "Calculating heights and margins" and the 'line-height'
>>>   #       property).
>>>   #    2. The inline boxes are aligned vertically according to their
>>>   #       'vertical-align' property.
>>>   #    3. The line box height is the distance between the uppermost box
>>>   #       top and the lowermost box bottom.
>>>   #    4. If the resulting height is smaller than the minimal height of
>>>   #       line boxes for this block, as specified by the 'line-height'
>>>   #       property, the height is increased to be that minimal height.

"The learning curve here is quite steep; missing even a small point may
result in fundamental misunderstanding."
Eric Meyer, in Inline formatting model,
http://meyerweb.com/eric/css/inline-format.html

I want to point out one issue. Just one. Sections 10.6 and 10.8 are and
will be furthermore difficult to understand, to grasp if schematic
explanations or some kind of drawing identifying all of these concepts is
*_not_* available. Even for experienced web authors. Please consider the
learning here, the helpfulness of the CSS 2.1 spec for all people (web
authors, teachers, book authors, etc) who should be concerned by this.

If the CSS box model can be schematically described, presented with
meaningful drawings and examples, then I do not understand why the most
important aspects and concepts of section 10.6 and 10.8 can not.

Please think of the ordinary web authors who will want to consult, to
study the CSS 2.1 spec in the next 10 years.

There is a saying which goes like this: "An image is worth a thousand
words." In my opinion, this issue should be considered as a top priority,
top importance priority (some sort of a blocker) for sections 10.6 and
10.8.

regards, Gérard

Received on Sunday, 24 May 2009 16:40:04 UTC