Extrinsic sizing confines content to specific dimensions, while intrinsic sizing allows elements to adjust dynamically to content changes.
The CSS box model comprises content, padding, border, and margin boxes, influencing layout and visual presentation of elements on a webpage.
Deep dives
Understanding Intrinsic and Extrinsic Sizing in CSS
In CSS, understanding intrinsic and extrinsic sizing is crucial. Extrinsic sizing defines a pre-defined box size where content needs to fit, like placing a landscape photo inside a 200x200 pixel box. In contrast, intrinsic sizing allows elements to determine their own space requirements, adjusting dynamically to content changes. This concept impacts how layouts are designed and adapted, making it a fundamental aspect of CSS.
Exploring the Layers of the Box Model in CSS
The CSS box model consists of layers: the content box, padding box, border box, and margin box. The content box holds the element's content, while the padding box creates space between the content and the border. The border box defines the element's dimensions and can include border images. Lastly, the margin box separates elements and provides white space, influencing the layout and visual presentation of elements on a webpage.
Complexities and Considerations in CSS Box Model
The CSS box model introduces complexities like outlining, box shadows, and scroll bars, each affecting elements' appearance and positioning. By differentiating between elements that alter dimensions and those that are purely visual enhancements, developers can craft intricate designs effectively. Understanding how the box model interacts with elements like padding, border, and content assists in creating visually appealing and well-structured web layouts.
Where do scrollbars go, inside or outside the box? In this episode Una and Adam answer that and much more in their discussion of the CSS box model. Everything in CSS starts as a box, and while that’s a straight forward concept to initially think about, it can get complex quite quickly. Not only do boxes surround elements, but letters in a sentence each have a box too. How many boxes are there!? Lots. Lots of boxes.