Why make a div look like a textarea and not use a regular textarea?

Question

I was looking around GMail and just found that the Message Composition uses:

textarea for recipients
input for subject
div for the message

I want to focus on the div for the message part. So I did some research and found out to be able to make a div behave like a textarea simply do this.

But my question is. Why do it? Why not just use an ordinary textarea? Does it provide any additional security?

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 15 '14 at 09:45

2

Because they cover it with JavaScript to make it a ~WYSIWYG control instead of a plain text one.

answered Jul 15 '14 at 09:45

Quentin

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I see. . so its just for easy styling of the content. That's understandable, thanks! – Jo E. Jul 15 '14 at 09:49

Why make a div look like a textarea and not use a regular textarea?

1 Answers1