Evil tables, but why?

[JAVAEOC]

Well I am just wondering why it is so bad to use tables????
I know tables are evil, but why?

thanks

[missing-score]

how can you know tables are evil if you dont know why they are bad.

Besides, there is nothing wrong with tables, they should just not be used for layout purposes. Tables are designed for tabular data, and a paragraph of text isnt tabular data, nor is a spacer image (which just shouldnt be used anyway). That is why the accepted method for layout is layers and tags which describe the content within them.

Take this example:

The <em> makes text italic yes?

Yes and no...

It makes the text emphasised to the device reading it. Whether it be a web browser (which displays the text as italic), or something like a screenreader which will emphasise the text.


I hope this helps a bit... Im trying to describe why you should use the correct tag for the purpose... I feel im not doing a good job though.

[JAVAEOC]

I some what understand now, but the reason why I know it is because everybody keeps saying it... :D

[brothercake]

I wouldn't go with that as a watchword. Just because everybody says something, doesn't mean it's true.

[sharkey182uk]

Very true brothercake but to put it simpler i think anyway use semantic(meaningful) markup at all times then style it with CSS so that you are seperating structure from style.


Hope this helps a wee bit.

[me']

I wouldn't go with that as a watchword. Just because everybody says something, doesn't mean it's true.But it does in this case.

Anyway, refs:

http://www.hotdesign.com/seybold
http://www.codingforums.com/showthread.php?p=181585#post181585

[JAVAEOC]

thanks to all of u :D

[Spookster]

Well I am just wondering why it is so bad to use tables????
I know tables are evil, but why?
thanks


To use an analogy, it's like taking a big pipe wrench and driving a nail into a board. Yes it works but it was not really designed for that. You should use the right tool for the job.

[Antoniohawk]

@Spookster
Could you have come up with a weirder analogy? :p

@JAVAEOC
Tables are not bad in the sense that they shouldn't be used, but only bad because they are misused. Drawing on Spook's analogy, using tables is like having a nail, a board, and pipe wrench in front of you. You know you should go get that hammer in the garage, but it would be so much easier just to use what is at hand. Tables are the same way, they aren't intended to be used in the layout of a web page, but that doesn't really matter to most who are looking to find the easiest way possible to accomplish something.

[JAVAEOC]

so I use tables, like I would use tables in Math, not to position my images :D, I think i get it

thx...

[Spookster]

so I use tables, like I would use tables in Math, not to position my images :D, I think i get it

thx...

Yes use tables like in math but not like in the living room.

[JAVAEOC]

Thanks Alot Folks :d