I would agree with you, it seems as if a definition list should only
be used for 'concise' definitions. However, common usage has made it
mean any list of key=>value pairs. I guess that it is how the
majority of people interpret a standard that really defines it.
Stephen
On 6 Feb 2006, at 10:46, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Thanks Ian,
Thanks for your reply!
I just felt that a definition list was intended to define terms.
For example:
<h2>JAWS (X)HTML interpretations<h2>
<dl>
<dt> <em> (Emphasis) </dt>
<dd>JAWS will use pitch and tone to emphasise the words
contained within the <em> element</dd>
<dl> <strong> (Strong Emphasis) </dt>
<dd>JAWS will use pitch and tone to STRONGLY emphasise the words
contained within the <strong> element</dd>
</dl>
However, in my case, I just felt that "100 223 578" does not define
"Customer Identification Number (CID)". When I see "Customer
Identification Number (CID)", I would expect to see the <dd> to be
something like "The unique identification number assigned to a
every customer to ensure the system only accesses the appropriate
users data".
So am I wrong in my thinking about definitions lists?? Can a random
bunch of digits such as "100 223 578" really be a definition that
means Customer Identification Number?? If someone can qualify these
questions, then I guess I will be convinced that this is the most
semantic way to solve my problem.
Regards,
Nathan
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ian Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <wsg@webstandardsgroup.org>
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 9:24 PM
Subject: Re: [WSG] Most semantic XHTML markup possible - your thoughts
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
But this definition list code I feel is not the most semantic way
to solve the problem (not using the <dl> as it was intended).
However, I also feel that what I have currently is also not
perfect (and if it is, is <em> better than <strong>??).
Hi Nathan,
why don't you think a definition list is appropriate? Seems spot
on, to me...
"Definition lists vary only slightly from other types of lists in
that list items consist of two parts: a term and a
description...Another application of DL, for example, is for
marking up dialogues, with each DT naming a speaker, and each DD
containing his or her words."[1]
<div id="customer-details">
<h3>Welcome Frank<h3>
<dl>
<dt>Customer Identification Number (CID):</dt>
<dd>100 223 578</dd>
<dt>Last accessed</dt>
<dd>Feb. 12, 2006 at 9:47pm</dd>
</dl>
</div>
There is a clear relationship between the label and the content,
so in my opinion this content would suit either a definition list
or a table. A table would be overkill here, but still
theoretically appropriate because the number for CID would have no
independent meaning without the associated label.
I don't think there is any semantic or practical difference
between <em> and <strong>, personally. I would be guided by how
appropriate the traditional visual rendering of these is to the
content. e.g. the name of a sea-going vessel is traditionally
italicised, so I would use <em> in that case. (Not that it comes
up a lot.)
Hope this helps
Cheers
Ian
PS - Hello all on WSG - this is my first post :). Looks like a
great list.
[1] http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/struct/lists.html#h-10.3
--
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