What Are Nested Tables?
Nested tables are a specific design apparatus used in computer programming. The basic nature of tables and nesting methodologies makes the approach commonplace in a variety of environments. While they are effective and efficient, they have their limits. As programming mechanisms evolve, the use of nested tables is gradually growing obsolete in many situations. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Tables
-
Tables are data structures organized by columns and rows. They are among the most basic and core aspects in any application of computing. Tables are found in spreadsheets, web pages, databases, graphs, reports and any other product of computer design. Everything from operating systems to email require use of tables to function. In some cases they are tangible objects for direct manipulation. Just as often, they are an underlying and hidden foundation for a software tool.
Nesting
-
Nesting refers to a computer programming technique whereby a particular routine or object is inserted inside another identical process. Many elements of programming design can be nested, creating efficient code that cycles repeatedly through similar tasks. This algorithmic structure is possible in widespread programming languages. Nested tables, therefore, are columnar data sets contained within a larger table structure.
-
HTML
-
Many web pages employ table structure to organize content. Since most web pages have text and images positioned above, below, and to the sides of other content, a table tag is implemented to control exact placement. But most websites have complex displays, and a simple grid is not flexible enough to creatively maneuver content. By introducing an independent table inside one cell of the larger table, designers maintain minute control over positioning.
Databasing
-
All databases store information in a table made of rows and columns (usually referred to as records and fields). In this manner, a record for one item may contain multiple details across many fields. Nested tables in this context refer to efficient methods for organizing large sets of data where a column is in fact its own separate table. Without this design, a similar functionality is only possible by creating multiple individual tables, and then instructing the database on how they are related.
Limits
-
Tables can be nested to multiple degrees, placing tables within tables indefinitely. The use of nesting varies between applications, and most eventually hit a limit. While three to four levels of nesting is not uncommon, nesting to a depth greater than this likely creates problems in the majority of situations. Modern programming methods also provide alternatives to nested tables in certain languages. CSS, for example, has become more widespread for content placement in web pages than the older nested table technique found in HTML design.
-
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Andre Charland
