Re: [CSS21] Question on section 9.5.1 Positioning float: error in sentence

On 08/11/2011 01:55, "Gérard Talbot" wrote:
> I've read the following sentence at least 20 times and I think there's
> several small mistakes which can compromise comprehension.
>
> "
> But in CSS 2.1, if, within the block formatting context, there is an
> in-flow negative vertical margin such that the float's position is above
> the position it would be at were all such negative margins set to zero,
> the position of the float is undefined.
> "
> http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS21/visuren.html#floats
>
> I think such sentence should be stating instead
>
> "
> But, in CSS 2.1, if, within the block formatting context, there is an
> in-flow negative vertical margin such that the float's position is above
> the position it would be at if such negative vertical margin was set to
> zero, then the position of the float is undefined.
> "

Hi Gérard,

Firstly, as I'm sure you're already aware but I note for the record, 
this sentence is a pretty evil compromise to get CSS21 out the door 
without having to worry about some difficult edge cases.  (I think the 
sentence could have been made notably tighter whilst still avoiding said 
edge cases, but there wasn't time unfortunately.)

Secondly, I think the sentence in the spec is a little strange but it's 
grammatically OK.  If "there is an" were replaced with "there is one or 
more" then the intent would be completely clear.  The existing sentence 
is sound but it does use a rather over-formal style more typical of 
mathematics than of this kind of spec (especially this particular spec!).

Cheers,
Anton

Received on Tuesday, 8 November 2011 13:24:09 UTC