Re: Single-line comments

No, it seems Brad is speaking here about two specific problems :

    a {
        property: //value;
    }

should not be parsed otherly than { "property": "//value"; } because
'/' is an accepted char for the property values and is actually used
in some of the latest specs.

So, we should accept // only after a break ({, ;) and there's a problem here
because some UA's are collapsing every space char (including line feeds)
to a single space char.

The problem would then become very visible :

a {
    // non-ok : value;
    ok: value;
}

<== UA Optimisation (discarding space chars after the first) ==>
a { // non-ok : value; ok: value; }

So UA's with such optimisation would not be able to apply a // comment.
Or at least, they would need to remove the optimisation.


From: Glen 
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 9:16 PM
To: Brad Kemper 
Cc: François REMY ; www-style@w3.org 
Subject: Re: Single-line comments


On 2010/04/03 20:46, Brad Kemper wrote: 
  I think as long as it was outside of the rule block and before the line feed character, it would just get thrown away, and the practical effect would often be the same as a comment. But if the white space (including line feeds) was ever collapsed into a single space (as some existing editors or optimizers might do), then it would interfere with the next selector. 


  Anyway, the WG discussed the proposal on 2010-03-24, and it is in the minutes. The issue was closed.


I didn't know it was discussed in the meeting, no one even replied to my initial message to the list. RESOLVED with a question mark after a short discussion -- interesting.

The biggest point against it seems to be compatibility with older browsers, which I addressed in my previous message.


  On Apr 3, 2010, at 10:59 AM, François REMY wrote:


    No theorical objection. They are practical objections though. How will it work
    when you use // comments with 'old' browsers ? It will not work. So you can't
    use it in a safe way.


    From: Glen 
    Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 7:26 PM
    To: www-style@w3.org 
    Subject: Re: Single-line comments


    No replies? Does that mean no objections? :-)

    On 2010/03/19 21:08, Glen wrote: 
      Hi,

      Has there ever been any discussion regarding the addition of single-line comments?  //color: red;

      It's a lot faster to type when you just want to toggle a single declaration. It's also obviously useful for permanent comments where multiple lines are not required.

      Glen.