The margin implementation shown in this exercise is more concise than the implementation shown in the last exercise. However, isn’t it also less readable? Which implementation should I use?

Question

The margin implementation shown in this exercise is more concise than the implementation shown in the last exercise. However, isn’t it also less readable? Which implementation should I use?

Answer

As with the more concise padding declaration, either implementation is fine to use so long as you are consistent with it. Most style guides recommend using the more concise margin declaration when possible but it is sometimes necessary to use the margin declarations shown in the last exercise.

Once you remember that the more concise padding and margin declarations specify values moving clockwise starting from the top of a box, the readability of these more concise declarations are not so obscured.