Hello all,

Currently in the process of coding my website. I've got a rather intricate design and the graphics are already completed for the design. However I'm stuck at the evil point of what to use, DIV or Tables or a combination. I've read in places that any of the three choices can be done and each has their own benefits and pitfalls.

The design is not your generic "square / rect. " site. It has many separate parts that overlap and what not. No I'm not changing it as it looks sweet :P

What do you guys prefer? Tables, DIVs, or both.

I think most people would say Div when it comes to layout. I use div's although Im not 100% sure on why theyre better to use!

When you say parts overlap, can you not cut up your images so that they fit properly? It would probably be best to see your design really.

Well the issue comes down to as how to cut it up. Large pieces, small pieces?? I'm a on a **** slow internet connection so I won't post it but it is loosely based off this design here:

http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs15/f/20...by_Fedrick.png

Tables are an older technology. I say focus on DIVs.

I know tables but not divs

div / spans for layout.

Tables for data.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

div / spans for layout.

Tables for data.

I tend to agree with that statement.

The reason divs are used so much, is simply because they are the newest thing since sliced bread. Divs also allow for greater flexibility when making changes to websites. Tables on the other hand force you to make changes to each page when making changes.


Divs are also alot cleaner and allow for your page to be search engine friendly. Which is an added plus!

The reason divs are used so much, is simply because they are the newest thing since sliced bread.

Well, only if you consider 1997 to be new.

For help "slicing" your layout for CSS - try this tutorial - www.cssslicingguide.com

For why you should NOT use tables for layout (and why divs are better):
http://www.hotdesign.com/seybold/everything.html

I only use tables for tabular data. div's/CSS for layout.

Divs are great if you know how to use them, tables are difficult and needs lots of work..

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Well, only if you consider 1997 to be new.

I learned tables in '99. And divs became a lot more mainstream when I wasn't doing webdesign

LadynRed, thanks for the tutorial

DIV always looks better.

It's not about looking better. I saw a template which had over 100 tables. I could arrange it now only using some divs.

I would recommend divs over tables for so many reasons that it's difficult to list just a few. If you need to position some parts over other parts, then you can do that using the different types of positioning. I recommend a combination of relative outer elements with inner element being absolutely positioned.