[RFC] HTML5 Semantic Elements

[Louis7777]

I searched for other RFCs before posting this, using the keywords "html5" and "semantic", but I could only find this relevant topic: Prosilver Overhaul/Modernization

Most of the discussion there is from 2011 and it was even debated whether HTML5 should be used in 3.1. Someone made the specific suggestion - that I'm about to make - in a post at the aforementioned discussion, but it was back in 13/3/2011 and it was kinda overlooked as the topic was about several improvements.

So now that we're using HTML5, how about replacing some DIVs with some of the newer semantic elements of html5:

<header>, <nav>, <section>, <aside>, <article>, <footer>

Internet Explorer 8 and earlier versions of IE don't support those elements, but that could be fixed with some JavaScript:

Code: Select all

<!--[if lt IE 9]>
        <script type="text/javascript">
        document.createElement("nav");
        document.createElement("header");
        document.createElement("footer");
        document.createElement("section");
        document.createElement("aside");
        document.createElement("article");
        </script>
<![endif]-->

OR something like

Code: Select all

<!--[if lt IE 9]>
<script type="text/javascript" src="html5forIE8.js"></script>
<![endif]--> 

As for those who are using Internet Explorer 8 AND have disabled JavaScript... well... they were asking for it, right?

[PayBas]

We would need to include something like html5shiv

[Louis7777]

Yeah, I saw that at the w3schools site, but is it necessary? I mean what more do we need other than a simple "createElement"?

[pawel92]

We would need to include something like html5shiv

rather use Modernizr.

Through this script does not need to unnecessarily limit and trim the functionality of the new, future phpbb to IE 6-8.

[Sumanai]

Through this script does not need to unnecessarily limit and trim the functionality of the new, future phpbb to IE 6-8.

IE 6-8 is not are relevant.

[PayBas]

We would need to include something like html5shiv

rather use Modernizr.

Through this script does not need to unnecessarily limit and trim the functionality of the new, future phpbb to IE 6-8.

Modernizr uses html5shiv.

[Pony99CA]

Through this script does not need to unnecessarily limit and trim the functionality of the new, future phpbb to IE 6-8.

IE 6-8 is not are relevant.

You're wrong about IE 8. Read why IE 8 should still be supported. (You posted in that topic a bit later, so maybe you already have read it.)

Steve

[Louis7777]

Again, why use html5shiv?

document.createElement("nameOfElementHere"); creates a block element that will work like a <div>.

[callumacrae]

Internet Explorer 8 and earlier versions of IE don't support those elements

IE8 is dead

According to the specification, "the <div> element is used as an element of last resort". So, +1 for this.

This article should be helpful—a lot of people use them wrongly, as explained here.

[MattF]

I'm all for a modern semantic HTML5 based thing. But not in phpBB 3.1.... Save it for phpBB 3.2, where we can simultaneously drop all support for IE8 and below, move on to jQuery 2.X and not have to worry at all about using HTML5 SHIV or Modernizr or any other bloat meant to keep old IE afloat. For sure, by the time 3.2 is ready, IE8 will be looooooong gone.