The concept of inline and block elements has been a fundamental part of HTML and web development. However, the terminology seems to have disappeared from the HTML Standard. This raises several questions: Does this mean the concept itself has become deprecated? Does it signify that it's an outdated way of thinking? Or has it been absorbed and carried on by a different concept?
When teaching new learners about HTML and web development, should we continue to use the terms "inline elements" and "block elements," or would it be more effective to convey similar content without using these terms? As web technologies continue to evolve, it's crucial to consider how these concepts fit into modern web development practices.
IMO, I believe the concepts of inline and block elements have not disappeared and are still effective when explaining these ideas to learners. I think it's important to continue using these terms as they help convey the fundamental aspects of HTML and web development. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Please share your opinions in the comments below. Let's keep the conversation going and learn from each other's perspectives.
Top comments (4)
The concept of block and inline elements still exists, but they are not HTML concepts. They are CSS concepts. That is, they relate to the way an element is styled, rather than its semantics.
Thank you for your comment. I'd like to understand your opinion better, so could you please tell me whether you think the concepts of inline and block elements still exist within the context of HTML document structure? Or do you believe they have disappeared entirely?
In other words, do you believe that it's better not to use the terms "inline elements" and "block elements" in the context of HTML document structure?
I'd avoid them. Putting aside the fact that they're inappropriate for HTML, there's plenty of confusion about what is, and is not, a block-level element.
Take MDN for example. It says '"block-level" and "inline" elements combined correspond to the flow content in HTML.'
On the same page, it lists some block-level elements, and includes
<li>. But<li>is not flow content. So even MDN provides a definition that isn't internally consistent.Thank you for your insightful comment.
I also share your concerns about the inconsistencies found in MDN's documentation, which can be quite confusing. Your explanation has greatly helped me understand your perspective, and I find your thoughts on this matter quite persuasive.
Once again, I appreciate your input on this topic.