Deprecate <dl> tag in HTML6

[ianthedev]

The entire design of dl element is possibly flawed. Here are two points that describe the possible flaw:

• dl designed to be independent of ul and ol implies that items in dl are neither unordered nor ordered.
• The spec for dl does not provide a method for defining a dl is unordered or ordered. Even if it does, the purpose of the method would overlap with the purposes of ul and ol.

To address the possible flaw, this thread proposes the deprecation of <dl> tag in HTML6 and make <dt> and <dd> tags optional in ul and ol elements. So in the future, when we want to write an unordered description list and an ordered description list, we would write:

<ul>
    <li>
        <dt></dt>
        <dd></dd>
    </li>
    <li>
        <dt></dt>
        <dd></dd>
    </li>
    <li>
        <dt></dt>
        <dd></dd>
    </li>
</ul>

<ol>
    <li>
        <dt></dt>
        <dd></dd>
    </li>
    <li>
        <dt></dt>
        <dd></dd>
    </li>
    <li>
        <dt></dt>
        <dd></dd>
    </li>
</ol>

[domenic]

We don't have any plans to deprecate an element in such wide use.

See also https://wiki.whatwg.org/wiki/FAQ#What_is_HTML5.3F

[ianthedev]

@domenic I hope you realize that, whether deprecating an element or not is supposed to be evaluated and discussed by many, not by one, Mr. Denicola. Unless one holds the copyright of HTML, he/she has no right to be autocratic on this matter.

[domenic]

See https://wiki.whatwg.org/wiki/FAQ#How_does_the_WHATWG_work.3F (note that I am an editor).

[ianthedev]

@domenic I noticed that you said We don't have any plans to...... in your first reply. And I also noticed that the content in the hyperlink in your reply above says ......Those editors read all the feedback, and, taking it into account along with research, studies, and feedback from many other sources (blogs, forums, IRC, etc.).......

Please allow me to ask you a question: have you really discussed with other editors and read all the feedback, and, taking it into account along with research, studies, and feedback from many other sources about this proposal before closing it?

[miketaylr]

have you really discussed with other editors and read all the feedback, and, taking it into account along with research, studies, and feedback from many other sources about this proposal before closing it?

I'm not an editor, but I agree with @domenic here. It took me ~2 minutes to read all the relevant research, studies, and feedback on this topic, because this issue is the only source that exists on your proposed topic. There doesn't need to be a lengthy process to conclude that deprecating widely used html elements isn't productive.

[ianthedev]

Okay. I think I should have discussed this topic with others first before formally proposing it. I will do that then.