Re: [css-writing-modes] Atomic inline "capable" of providing its own baseline

On 05/12/2014 05:36 AM, Simon Sapin wrote:
> §4.3 Atomic Inline Baselines
>> If an atomic inline (such as an inline-block, inline-table, or
>> replaced inline element) is not capable of providing its own baseline
>> information, then the UA synthesizes a baseline table thus:
>
> I understand what is intended here, but only based on prior knowledge.
> This text does not help determine whether a particular atomic inline
> is capable of proving its own baseline information.

We could probably do with tightening that up a bit, yes, but I think
it might be a good idea to wait until baseline alignment is fully
defined in css-align so we hook into the right vocabulary. :/

> Also, the "capable of proving its own" wording is a bit weird, as if
> inline boxes were sentient beings.

But anthropomorphizing non-human objects is a time-honored literary
tradition!

Also, capability does not necessarily require sentience. An aeroplane
is capable of flying, for instance.

> I suggest replacing the quoted text with:
>
>> Unless specified otherwise, the baseline information for an atomic
>> inline box is synthesized as follows.

That's not quite correct either. (Note that contributing a baseline
and synthesizing one are two different things.)

~fantasai

Received on Tuesday, 22 July 2014 17:43:02 UTC