[CSS 2.1] WD 07 Dec. 2010: section 9.5.2 Introductory subsections and sentences to orient reader

Hello all,

WD 7 dec 2010, Section 9.5.2
http://www.w3.org/TR/2010/WD-CSS2-20101207/visuren.html#flow-control

{
Computing the clearance of an element on which 'clear' is set is done by
first determining the hypothetical position of the element's top border
edge within its parent block. This position is where the actual top border
edge would have been if the element had a non-zero bottom border and its
'clear' property had been 'none'.

If this hypothetical position of the element's top border edge is not past
the relevant floats, then clearance is introduced, and margins collapse
according to the rules in 8.3.1.
}

Suggested insertions
====================

{
Determine if clearance is required
----------------------------------
(a <h3> heading or some sort of text demarcation)

Before trying to compute the clearance of an element, it must be first
established if clearance is necessary. This necessity can be determined
thanks to the hypothetical position of the element's top border edge
within its parent block.

Computing the clearance of an element on which 'clear' is set is done by
first determining the hypothetical position of the element's top border
edge within its parent block. This position is where the actual top border
edge would have been if the element had a non-zero bottom border and its
'clear' property had been 'none'.

If this hypothetical position of the element's top border edge is past the
relevant floats, then clearance is not necessary and is not created.

If this hypothetical position of the element's top border edge is not past
the relevant floats, then clearance is introduced, and margins collapse
according to the rules in 8.3.1.

Calculation of clearance
------------------------
(a <h3> heading or some sort of text demarcation)

(...)
}

That way, the careful reader or the beginner will be less likely to be
disoriented.

The words "This necessity can be determined" in my suggested insertions
block could be better replaced with either
- "Such necessity can be determined"
- "Such opportunity can be determined"
- "Such possibility can be determined"
- "Such requirement can be determined"

In the same line of thought, "Determine if clearance is required" could be
better worded with "Determine if clearance is opportune" or "Determine if
clearance is necessary" or "Determine if clearance is triggered"  or
""Determine if clearance is going to be created"

I sincerly believe that the insertions that I propose help better
understand the internal coherence (and its text flow of logic) of section
9.5.2, in particular when such section tries to indicate that there could
be no clearance or there can be a clearance of zero or that there can be a
negative clearance.

My english is not perfect and I am right now in a bit of a rush. So, I
welcome comments, feedback, suggestions.


More reading on this particular precise issue:
[CSS 2.1][Section 9.5.2] Clearance and margin-collapsing: editorial
clarifications suggested
http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/www-style/2010Dec/0120.html

regards, Gérard (in a rush)
-- 
CSS 2.1 Test suite RC3 (October 27th 2010)
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Received on Wednesday, 8 December 2010 21:01:00 UTC