Module 4 - Page 07 - Definition Lists (rarely used)

Definition Lists (rarely used)

The last type of formatted list is the Definition List, which is used for a list of dictionary-type or glossary-type definitions. Definition Lists are almost never used in the professional web design world. Because they are so infrequently used, I have heard reports that they tend to be rather buggy. However, they can be convenient if you are planning a very simple on-line glossary or dictionary.

The definition list is a very primitive apparatus. In my regular HTML classes, I completely ignore it. Since we are not so pressed for time here, I have included brief notes on its construction.

The container tag for a definition list is DL (which stands for Definition List). There are two sub-tags, DT (Definition Term) and DD (Definition Data). Use DT to mark the word to be defined, and DD to mark the definition of that word. The DL tag must enclose all of the DT and DD tags.

Tags: DL, DT, DD (all MUST close)

Structure:

<dl>
<dt>
Term
</dt>
<dd>
Definition
</dd>
</dl>

Example:

<dl>
<dt>
Bumbershoot
</dt>
<dd>
An umbrella or parasol.
</dd>
<dt>
Narcolepsy
</dt>
<dd>
A neurological condition causing its victim to fall
into periods of uncontrollable slumber. This condition can
be triggered in students by too many boring lectures or too
much homework.
</dd>
</dl>

Displayed:

Bumbershoot: An umbrella or parasol.
Narcolepsy: A neurological condition causing its victim to fall into periods of uncontrollable slumber. This condition can be triggered in students by too many boring lectures or too much homework.

Note: Again, the only way to control Definition List appearance and layout is by using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets).

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