CSS instead of tables

Commonly used to control such elements as fonts and spacing issues in web pages, CSS used to its fullest extent can graphically control all of the layout for a web page replacing the use of tables entirely.

The web page you are looking at was created in that manner. The content is stored in the mark-up document (html) while all the graphical elements and layout are instructed in the style sheet document (css).

The case for CSS layout

Several advantages leverage CSS layout in applying multiple formats to the same content. This is especially useful when content may be accessed using different tools (user agents) such as handheld devices, speech and sound synthesizers, or television-type devices to name a few. A script in the requested content can test for the type of device and apply a style sheet to display the content in an appropriate manner for that device.

In that regard, CSS is useful in making digital information more accessible and Section 508 compliant. This ammendment to the Rehabilitation Act requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities. Organizations in contract with the Federal Government may also be under the same obligation.

CSS & XML ...like horse and carriage

CSS & XML — go together just like ...you got it. CSS works well with any XML application which would include most content management systems (CMS). The XML is transformed into a XSLT document to which the CSS is applied.

What does CSS look like?

Rendered, it can look like any other formatted document. For a fun demonstration of applying multiplie layouts to the same content, visit CSS Zen Garden.

You can also view the code as a text document here: html | css