Why does inserting a table result in deprecated code (HTML validation)?

Report · Jul 04, 2017

Exactly as the question says... inserting a table in DW 2017 results in a deprecated code warning as per the HTML validation, Why? And, if so, why is this latest avatar of the 'leading' web authoring programme not able to deliver validated code?

Also, is there anyway to inset a table - or any other element - on the fly without it being deprecated?

TIA...

Cheers,

ON

Report · Jul 04, 2017

It all depends on what the table is being used for, if it includes the required 'other' elements, and if the required aria attributes are included for the use of tables to be valid -

https://www.w3.org/TR/2017/CR-html51-20170620/tabular-data.html#the-table-element

No idea what you mean by, 'the latest avatar'?

As for inserting other elements on the fly, if you mean by using dynamic data insertion replace tables with the article element.

Report · Jul 04, 2017

No, it means simply inserting a table... The code is deprecated.

You can test it... Insert table with x rows and y columns. Run the validator. It'll be deprecated.

Latest avatar means the very latest updated Dreamweaver as of today - and the least it can do is not insert deprecated code.

Report · Jul 05, 2017

I don't use the built in Dw validator, as it has problems with what is and what is not valid, (i have the same complaint with Dw linting). It should not show tables as being deprecated and if you use the validator in the firefox web developers toolbar it does not.

You could register it as a bug, but as Dw's validator connects to an external validator i doubt if the Dw team could correct the problem.

All i can suggest for now, is that you simply ignore such warnings, as it looks like the validator is simply assuming that any use of tables is for layout and not data.

Report · Jul 05, 2017

Not using the internal validator... linking to W3C for validation...

The point remains: DW is inserting deprecated code... please see reply below to Nancy O.

Report · Jul 05, 2017

Hi...

Here's a screen capture to make it clear...

Report · Jul 05, 2017

Sorry you posted your last message as i was writting my last reply.

The error messages are correct. Such settings as width, cell spacing, etc, are obsolete and should be set in your css file, not directly in the html. An alternative is to use the html 4 doctype, but this would invalidate the use of any html 5 specific items.

Report · Jul 05, 2017

I suspect user error.

#1 Tables are for tabular data only.

#2 You must remove values for width, borders, cell padding, & cell spacing from the insertion dialog. If you do that, the inserted code will be HTML5 compliant. See screenshots.

Nancy

Nancy O'Shea— Product User, Community Expert & Moderator

Report · Jul 05, 2017

Nope, no user error.

And, that's exactly the point. Why is Dreamweaver generating deprecated code that throws up these errors when doing something as simple as inserting a table structure prior to getting started on the table design?

Even if it must generate inline code, why doesn't it generate valid code (table style="width:550px; padding:0px") instead of deprecated code (table width=650px)?

Or issue a warning at the very least?

Report · Jul 06, 2017

Could it be that deprecated code is required for email clients? Could it also be that table layouts are primarily used for emails. Maybe the deprecated code is to stop them complaining that Dreamweaver does not deliver deprecated code.

Just a thought.

Wappler, the only real Dreamweaver alternative.

Report · Jul 07, 2017

Report · Jul 07, 2017

Now we get back to my favourite subject, who or what determines valid code? Is it W3C or is it the client (as in browser or email) software?

Getting back to why emails do not use the so-called 'valid' code? Ask Microsoft or Google or Mozilla or any of the other email clients. This is a shamozzle. Just call it Dreamweaver in the middle.

Wappler, the only real Dreamweaver alternative.

Report · Jul 07, 2017

To add to my previous reply, I just came across an article that Chris Coyer published today where he states:

Validation is a wonderful tool for finding mistakes, but I wouldn’t get hung up on it. Or worse, assume that if your code validates it’s perfect.

Wappler, the only real Dreamweaver alternative.

Report · Jul 08, 2017

A man with his feet on the ground and his head on his shoulders...

Report · Jul 06, 2017

Just to add to Bens reply.

It is not for any code editor, or any program, to tell users what they can and cannot write or use. It is the users responsibility to know what they are doing, and what is or is not valid code.

The use of width and height values for the image tag, is not recommended with html5, but it is the users responsibility to know this, and the same applys to all of the web techs.

This may sound condescending, but Dw is a professional product for professional users, and like any profession the practitioner should know what they can and cannot do.

Report · Jul 06, 2017

occulus.nigra wrote
Nope, no user error.

One could argue that anyone who uses Tables in responsive web designs is not using good judgement. If you need tables for HTML Emails then deprecated code is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User, Community Expert & Moderator

Report · Jul 07, 2017

One could argue that anyone who uses Tables in responsive web designs is not using good judgement. If you need tables for HTML Emails then deprecated code is exactly what the doctor ordered.

So, the use of tables in a responsive layout is bad judgement? Mm... Seriously? Well, I hope the Marines are listening...

And for emails why can't it use the correct code - an instance of which was mentioned earlier?

Anyway <shrug>