The VSCode self-closing tag slash has an underline, which can be confusing for web developers.
This feature is primarily used in HTML and XML documents.
The underline is a visual cue, indicating that the slash is a self-closing tag.
It's essential to understand the difference between a self-closing tag and a regular tag to avoid errors in your code.
Web Components Basics
Web Components require explicit closing tags, unlike JSX which can be confusing due to its HTML-like syntax. This can cause issues if you forget that JSX is not HTML, leading to problems like the one mentioned in the article where a script tag is "slurped and swallowed into a void".
The use of self-closing tags with a trailing slash is redundant in HTML, as it has no effect and is effectively ignored. This is because HTML has two types of tags: those that require closing and those that don't.
Prettier, a popular code formatter, insists on using self-closing tags with a trailing slash, which can lead to inconsistent coding styles and issues with elements that are self-closing versus those that are entirely empty.
What are Web Components?
Web Components are a set of web technologies that allow you to create reusable custom elements. They're designed to make your code more modular, maintainable, and efficient.
These custom elements can be used in any HTML document, just like standard HTML elements, and can be styled using CSS. They're also fully supported by modern browsers, making them a great choice for building web applications.
One of the key benefits of Web Components is that they allow you to write HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in a way that's decoupled from the DOM. This means you can create complex components without worrying about the underlying structure of your page.
Web Components are made up of several key technologies, including HTML Templates, HTML Imports, and Custom Elements. These technologies work together to create a powerful and flexible way to build custom UI components.
Self-Closing Tags in Web Components
Self-Closing Tags in Web Components can be a source of confusion. Web Components require explicit closing tags, unlike JSX which is not HTML. This means that if you forget to close a tag, it will slurp up all the following markup.
Forgetting to close a tag can lead to unexpected behavior, like a script tag being swallowed into a void. The author of the article had this exact experience, trying to figure out why a Web Component wasn't handling user interaction. They had become too used to JSX's HTML-like syntax.
The use of the / character is redundant in HTML for self-closing tags and is ignored. Prettier, a popular code formatter, insists on using the / character, which can lead to inconsistent coding style. This is a problem because it creates a third kind of tag, in addition to those that require closing and those that don't.
Why are they used?
Self-closing tags are used to define elements that don't need a closing tag, like img and br.
They improve code readability and reduce the risk of mismatched tags.
For example, in HTML, the img element is a self-closing tag, which means it doesn't need a separate closing tag. This makes the code more concise and easier to write.
This is especially useful when working with large codebases, as it helps maintain a clean and organized structure.
When to use Self-Closing Tags
Self-closing tags are used when a tag doesn't wrap around any content. This is particularly useful for tags that don't need to contain anything, such as the img tag.
In HTML5, self-closing tags are allowed for all void elements, which include tags like img, input, and br. This simplifies the code and makes it easier to read.
Use self-closing tags when you're working with tags that don't wrap around any content, like img or input tags. This will save you from having to add extra code.
Self-closing tags are also useful when you're working with tags that don't have a closing tag in HTML4, but do in HTML5. For example, the br tag is a void element in HTML5, but in HTML4, it required a closing tag.
Explicit Closing Tags in Web Components
Web Components require explicit closing tags, unlike JSX which can be deceiving with its HTML-like syntax.
The author of this article has personal experience with this issue, having lost time trying to figure out why a Web Component wasn't working as expected.
In HTML, there are two types of tags: those that require closing and those that don't. This is a fundamental concept that the author is passionate about.
The use of the / character in HTML for self-closing tags is redundant and has no effect. It's effectively ignored.
Prettier, a popular code formatter, insists on using the / character in self-closing tags, which the author disagrees with. This is reflected in a five-year open issue on Prettier.
React and JSX are to blame for bringing this inconsistent coding style back into mainstream development.
Common Issues with Self-Closing Tags
Using self-closing tags can lead to inconsistent coding styles, especially when it comes to elements that are self-closing versus those that are entirely empty.
In HTML, self-closing tags are not necessary, as the `/` character is effectively ignored. This is because HTML is not JSX, and JSX's syntax is to blame for bringing self-closing tags back into mainstream development.
The use of self-closing tags can also lead to issues with Web Components, which require explicit closing tags to function properly. If a self-closing tag is not properly closed, it can slurp up following markup, causing problems with the component's functionality.
Common Errors with Self-Closing Tags
Web Components require explicit closing tags, unlike JSX, which can make it tricky to remember to close tags properly.
HTML has two types of tags: those that require closing and those that don't, but JSX and Prettier can introduce a third kind of tag with a trailing slash.
The / character is completely and utterly redundant in HTML as a way of saying this is self-closing, and it has no effect.
Using the / in the opening tag creates inconsistent coding style, especially when compared to elements that are self-closing but don't require a closing tag.
Prettier, a popular code formatter, insists on using the / character, even though it's not necessary and can lead to inconsistent coding style.
React and JSX are to blame for putting self-closing tags back into mainstream development, as JSX requires them by default.
Troubleshooting Self-Closing Tags
Self-closing tags can be a real pain to troubleshoot, but don't worry, I've got some tips to help you out.
One common issue with self-closing tags is that they can be tricky to nest properly, especially when it comes to tags like img and br. This can lead to unexpected layout issues.
Make sure to always close self-closing tags in the correct order, as seen in the example of the br tag being closed before the img tag.
Incorrectly closed self-closing tags can cause HTML validation errors, which can be a major headache if you're working on a project that requires strict validation.
If you're getting an error message that says "Element 'img' closed before its opening tag was closed", it's likely because you've got a self-closing tag that's not being closed correctly.
To fix this, simply remove the self-closing slash from the tag and close it properly, like you would with any other HTML tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to auto close a tag in VSCode?
To auto close a tag in VSCode, open Settings, search for "Auto Closing" and enable the HTML Auto closing tags checkbox. This will automatically close HTML tags as you type.
Sources
- https://remysharp.com/2023/10/09/why-i-stopped-loving-slashes-in-self-closing-tags
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/language-reference/xmldoc/recommended-tags
- https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_59
- https://retrocomputing.stackexchange.com/questions/24394/why-does-the-default-base64-encoding-use-forward-slash
- https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/how-to-use-markdown-in-vscode/
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