Html/PHP Code Element Questions

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Hi,

Is it necessary to put the following code at the top of HTML/PHP web pages (code)?

Code:



<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> 



<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Also, I see that some people use the following in method for the break tag:

Code:



<br /> rather than <br>

What is the difference?

And, one final question...

What is the following code for?

Code:



<div style="clear: both;"> </div>

I've noticed when I do use the above code in the bottom of my php (CSS formatted) pages, the columns don't stay sized properly...

You help with these issues is much appreciated.

Thank you.

B-truE

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Re: Html/PHP Code Element Questions

B-truE wrote:

Hi,

Is it necessary to put the following code at the top of HTML/PHP web pages (code)?

Code:<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

No, it is not necessary but it is useful to declare a doctype.

Doctypes tell the browser what kind of markup the page is written in, and influence how the browsers parse the markup.

For example, you posted the doctype for xhtml strict, meaning that it will likely need to be valid xhtml code to display properly.

IE, for example, will render that page in strict standard compliant xhtml mode, whereas if you use a transitional doctype it might render it in quirks mode (generally more forgiving for the webmaster who isn't freaky about writing perfect code).

Quote:

Also, I see that some people use the following in method for the break tag:

Code:<br /> rather than <br>

What is the difference?

Code:<br />

is xhtml

Code:<br>

is html

Quote:

And, one final question...

What is the following code for?

Code:<div style="clear: both;"> </div>

The css "clear" property disallows floats on the side specified. In your example it's disallowing floating elements on both sides but the purpose of the div is not clear. It's just empty.

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Re: Html/PHP Code Element Questions

Craven de Kere wrote:

The css "clear" property disallows floats on the side specified. In your example it's disallowing floating elements on both sides but the purpose of the div is not clear. It's just empty.

I think the code shows a space or something, because it didn't show up in the example. Here's another go at it:

Code:<div style="clear: both;">& #160;</div>

I put a space between the & and the # (above) to get the code to show here.

B-truE

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The answers to all of your questions can be found here:

W3Schools

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Html/PHP Code Element Questions

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