strong tag

Xhtml

[rokec]

Is strong tag recommended in XHTML or not?

Thanks for help.

[penders]

The <strong> tag... to indicate 'stronger emphasis' - yes, I'd say it was recommended. Just in the same way the <em> tag is used to indicate 'emphasis'. These tags are preferable to <i> and <b> tags, since <i> and <b> only really have meaning when viewed on screen.

[w3.org...]

It's just a bit of a pain that "<strong>..</strong>" takes longer to type than "<b>..</b>"!

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On a bit of a side issue... I'm not convinced that <strong> should always be used in replace of <b> however. I've been involved on a project recently where the lead developer insists on always using <strong>, and not using <b> - I'm not convinced?! Anyone care to comment?

[pageoneresults]

I'm not convinced?! Anyone care to comment?

I'll bite! This is an ongoing discussion in various fora including WebmasterWorld.

From a semantic standpoint, <em> and <strong> are the correct elements to use when something needs to be emphasized or strongly emphasized.

But, here is where the problem comes in. Many don't know the meaning behind those two elements. The new WYSIWYG programs are now wrapping elements in <strong> when in fact they should probably be styled using a <span> element so the meaning is not misinterpreted.

I can see it now, 2007 will be a <strong> year for many. I can't emphasize how <strong> it will be. ;)

P.S. I use all four of the elements. I used <i> and <b> for visual clues and then <em> and <strong> when I want a semantic clue. ;)

[penders]

[<strong> / <b>] ...an ongoing discussion...

Thanks for the input, I must admit I hadn't appreciated just how much the subject of <strong> vs <b> and <em> vs <i> has already been discussed! And the way WYSIWYG editors are tending to treat the issue is certainly an interesting one, which again, I was not aware off - thanks.

Yes, like you say, I think there is currently valid uses for all four elements. A point, mentioned in another thread, being that <b> and <i> don't have semantic meaning and can therefore aid in markup as an alternative to the <span> element. eg. In marking up foreign language phrases:

<i lang="fr">je ne sais quois</i>

Some interesting threads on the subject:
[webmasterworld.com...]
[webmasterworld.com...]
[webmasterworld.com...]

[rocknbil]

In younger years I was bold and stupid, now I've grown strong. Still stupid though. :-)

I interpret bold and italic as being limited to presentation elements. Strong is a semantic element, which inherently presents itself boldly. So you can have the appearance of being strong or just be strong. You can italicize your font or emphasize your message. :-)