Why is it like this?
What's the reason inside it?
+3
A:
When you float it, you implicitly make it a block element. And unlike inline elements (a included among these), block elements can be assigned a width and height. Here's a good explanation of block vs. inline differences.
Edit: removed "have layout" as part of description of block elements, this isn't quite true...
Ben
2009-11-13 02:22:59
Why you say "you implicitly make it a block element."?What's your evidence?
Csser
2009-11-13 02:31:34
It's in the official CSS spec at w3.org.
DisgruntledGoat
2009-11-13 02:34:10
The W3's wording on it is admittedly a little vague, but, describing the possible float properties, the spec says: "The element generates a block box that is floated to the left." Source: http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS2/visuren.html#float-position . In other words, inline element or no, it's going to be a block element once the float is applied.
Ben
2009-11-13 02:57:59
+3
A:
<a> is an inline element and flows amongst regular text. As Ben says, floating elements implicitly converts them to "block" elements.
One solution is to use the CSS style display: inline-block - the link will then work much like an image - flow inline with text, but also allow you to set a width/height.
DisgruntledGoat
2009-11-13 02:36:02
+1
A:
The premise is incorrect.
use an inline-block
<a href="" style="display:inline-block; width:100px; background-color:Red;">abc</a>
Middletone
2009-11-13 02:44:00