The difference between <b> and <strong>

Discussion in 'HTML & Website Design' started by pipes, May 16, 2009.

  1. #1
    Hello, i dont understand the difference between those two, if there is any?

    Should either be used in certain ways or are they both doing exactly the same thing?
     
    pipes, May 16, 2009 IP
  2. Enmar

    Enmar Active Member

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    #2
    There is no difference, but <strong> has replaced <b> in terms of being the standard, just as <em> has replaced <i>.
     
    Enmar, May 16, 2009 IP
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  3. pipes

    pipes Prominent Member

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    #3
    Thanks for explaining Enmar.
     
    pipes, May 16, 2009 IP
  4. kk5st

    kk5st Prominent Member

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    #4
    Sorry, that explanation was wrong.

    <em> and <strong> mean that the content is emphasized, or strongly emphasized, respectively. Consider "You <em>must</em> eat your veggies." (kid just sits there) "Do it <strong>now</strong>." (voice gets louder; hand slaps the table)

    Screen readers will change their tone of voice when hitting those elements.

    The <b> and <i> elements derive their meaning from the context. For example, it used to be that typographical convention required that the name of a ship be printed bold. Now, it more accepted to italicize the ship's name. Either way, we derive the meaning, a ship's name, from its being bold or italic. Conventions also exist for bibliographies, etc.

    No, one does not replace the other. Each has a specified meaning and usage, just as <address>, <cite>, <var>, and <dfn> have different meanings, but are all usually rendered as italics.

    cheers,

    gary
     
    kk5st, May 16, 2009 IP
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  5. pipes

    pipes Prominent Member

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    #5
    Hi Gary

    Thanks for a great explanation, do you know if screen readers would read bold differently too? would maybe a screen reader use a different tone each for strong or bold?

    So i basically need to use one of either depending on how i want to express something, not a bad thing i think because it forces me to make sure im using these in the correct way.
     
    pipes, May 17, 2009 IP
  6. kk5st

    kk5st Prominent Member

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    #6
    I'm not all that versed on screen readers; I have three installed, and have used them, but not enough to really work out which does what to whom. ;) For example, I don't know how to configure any of them, nor whether they read the aural style sheet. (see css2.1 Appendix A: Aural style sheets)

    You need one of the accessibility wonks to guide you in that area.

    Markup is all about the meaning and structure of the document; what it is, not how it looks or sounds.

    cheers,

    gary
     
    kk5st, May 17, 2009 IP
  7. pipes

    pipes Prominent Member

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    #7
    Thanks gary, its all helping me understand a bit better.
     
    pipes, May 17, 2009 IP