Gain insights into designing mobile-responsive web layouts using Flexbox. Delve into Box Model basics, Flexbox containers, and item alignment, and apply your knowledge to create stunning, mobile-first websites.

CBCA - CSS with Flexbox (Intermediate)-01.jpg

In this course, you will get hands-on experience in designing mobile-responsive web layouts using Flexbox. You will start with the basics like the Box Model and the process of layouting.

You will then move on to advanced concepts such as Flexbox containers, and aligning individual Flexbox items. Near the end of the course, you will put everything you just learned into practice. You will work on a project that focuses on developing a mobile-first website where you’ll experiment with page layout, headers, footers, and a lot more.

By the end of this course, you will be able to use Flexbox in your own projects to create beautiful layouts.

Designing Web Layouts with CSS and Flexbox

# Linking labels and input fields through id attributes

When creating a form field, two HTML elements have to be linked:

- an `<input>` field
- and a `<label>`

Most software developers know that linking the two HTML elements can be performed by giving the label a `for` attribute, and giving an `id` attribute for the corresponding `input` field:

```html
<label for="name-field">Name</label>
<input type="text" id="name-field" name="name" /> 
```

Whenever this link is established, clicking the label focuses on the input field. Without this link, the functionality of the form is compromised.

While most developers use the above method to link a label and an input field, some disadvantages may require us to consider an alternative.

The main problem is that the `id` attribute of a node should be a unique resource in a document. While creating a small website, using global resources is fine. In complex web applications, we never know if another module inside the application uses the same `id` attribute. 

# Linking labels and input fields through nesting

There is another method to link a `<label>` and an `<input>` field. This method is rarely used and it is less widely known. According to the HTML specification, encapsulating an `<input>` field in a `<label>` links them:

```html
<label>
  Name
  <input type="text" name="name" />
</label>
```

We will use the latter method.

When using Flexbox, we can also use an encapsulating `<div>` element to position our input fields. Each label-input field pair will be a Flex item in a Flexbox. 

The final markup of an input field: 

```html
<div class="form-flex-item">
  <label class="form-label">
    Name
    <input 
      type="text" 
      name="name" 
      class="form-input" />
  </label>
</div>
``` 

Regarding styling, we will follow modern web design trends present in most CSS frameworks and component libraries. Both Bootstrap and Material UI put the label above the corresponding input field when we focus on the input field. 

**Side note**: Material UI puts the label inside the frame of the input field. While this solution can be implemented in CSS, we will stick to a more basic implementation of putting the label on top of the input field:

```css 
.form-label {
  margin: 20px;
  display: block;
  font-size: 14px;
  line-height: 24px;
}

.form-input {
  display: block;
  padding: 6px;
}
```


# Linking labels and input fields through id attributes

When creating a form field, two HTML elements have to be linked:

- an `<input>` field
- and a `<label>`

Most software developers know that linking the two HTML elements can be performed by giving the label a `for` attribute, and giving an `id` attribute for the corresponding `input` field:

```html
<label for="name-field">Name</label>
<input type="text" id="name-field" name="name" /> 
```

Whenever this link is established, clicking the label focuses on the input field. Without this link, the functionality of the form is compromised.

While most developers use the above method to link a label and an input field, some disadvantages may require us to consider an alternative.

The main problem is that the `id` attribute of a node should be a unique resource in a document. While creating a small website, using global resources is fine. In complex web applications, we never know if another module inside the application uses the same `id` attribute. 

# Linking labels and input fields through nesting

There is another method to link a `<label>` and an `<input>` field. This method is rarely used and it is less widely known. According to the HTML specification, encapsulating an `<input>` field in a `<label>` links them:

```html
<label>
  Name
  <input type="text" name="name" />
</label>
```

We will use the latter method.

When using Flexbox, we can also use an encapsulating `<div>` element to position our input fields. Each label-input field pair will be a Flex item in a Flexbox. 

The final markup of an input field: 

```html
<div>
  <label>
    Name
    <input 
      type="text" 
      name="name" 
      />
  </label>
</div>
``` 

Regarding styling, we will follow modern web design trends present in most CSS frameworks and component libraries. Both Bootstrap and Material UI put the label above the corresponding input field when we focus on the input field. 

**Side note**: Material UI puts the label inside the frame of the input field. While this solution can be implemented in CSS, we will stick to a more basic implementation of putting the label on top of the input field:

```css 
.form-label {
  margin: 20px;
  display: block;
  font-size: 14px;
  line-height: 24px;
}

.form-input {
  display: block;
  padding: 6px;
}
```


In this lesson, we will Iearn how form fields are structured in HTML.

Getting Started

Using Flexbox Containers

Aligning Individual Flexbox Items

Designing a Mobile-first Website Using Flexbox

Flexbox Conclusion and Next Steps

Form Input Field Markup and Layout

Linking labels and input fields through id attributes