Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Reference

Chapter 16. Glossary

absolute positioning

Setting the precise location of an element within the coordinate system of the next outermost container. An absolute-positioned element exists in its own transparent layer; it is removed from the flow of content that surrounds it in the HTML source code.

accessibility

The design concern for allowing users with physical disabilities to make as full a use of web content as possible. For example, aural style sheets provide increased web accessibility to users who have vision impairments.

API

Application Programming Interface, which is usually a collection of methods and properties that operate as a convenient layer between programmers and more complex internal computer activity. In Dynamic HTML, it is common to use or create a custom API to act as a buffer between the browser-specific implementations of element positioning and the programmer’s desire to use a single coding scheme regardless of browser.

at-rule

A type of CSS command used inside a style sheet definition. Typical at-rule commands import external style sheets or download font specifications. An at-rule statement begins with the @ symbol.

attribute

A property of an HTML element or CSS style sheet. Attributes are usually assigned values by way of operators (the = symbol for HTML; the : symbol for CSS). In HTML, sometimes the presence of the attribute name is enough to turn on a feature associated with that attribute. HTML attribute names are case insensitive; CSS attribute names are case ...