Topic: To Table or not!

Tables... why use them... then again... why not?!?

Why do we all hate tables? What's so bad about them?! Ever since I've been hanging around here I too have developed a sense of table hatredness! WHY!?!?! I mean the Asylum uses tables?!? Why can't we all use them! WHAT IS SO DEVELISH ABOUT THEM!

And why do we all advise everyone to NOT use them! ME INCLUDED!

I'm confused once more... I know I'm making a habit of it but this is confusing!!!

TABLEs are actually designed to present tabular datas in (X)HTML. That's why the W3C: HTML 4.01 Specification : Tables : Introduction to tables says :

quote:

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Tables should not be used purely as a means to layout document content as this may present problems when rendering to non-visual media. Additionally, when used with graphics, these tables may force users to scroll horizontally to view a table designed on a system with a larger display. To minimize these problems, authors should use style sheets to control layout rather than tables.

---

Forums are a border line case. One can see them as tabular datas (contents) while another can see them as a list of contents. So a TABLE is perfectly acceptable in this case, but it is as acceptable as an OL could be.



(Edited by poi on 05-25-2005 16:35)

there is nothing develish about them.

and in contrary to the recommendation i still use them to set up a layout sometimes. it is one of the few elements that behaves the same in all major browsers. and being one of the "oldest" elements it has become rocksolid over the years.

Oh...
...
...
...
... how 'bout a shock now :D:D:D

If tables were "rock solid" and performed the same in all browsers, there would never have been a need for the whole "spacer.gif" madness. They are also not among the oldest elements - they were a later addition to the spec.

Tables are for data that should be displayed in a table.

There is no need to hate them.

There is a need to use them properly.



(Edited by DL-44 on 05-25-2005 18:00)

^ Amen!

Then I guess the question:

"To Table, Or not to Table"

Is kind of pointless...

Indeed.