Semantic is a set of specifications for sharing UI elements between developers. Semantic is also a UI library to make front end development simpler and easier to learn.
By defining a vocabulary the development community can exchange javascript and css definitions of UI in a similar language, making new code easier to grock, and reducing the complexity of starting a new project, or changing a sites design.
UI components are split into four categories, ranging from smallest to largest in scope:
* UI Elements
* UI Collections
* UI Modules
* UI Views
### UI Elements
UI Elements are interface elements which do not contain other elements inside themselves. This can be thought of as similar in definition as an "element" in chemistry.
UI elements can have plural definitions when they are known to exist together frequently.
In this case each button will be large because we understand it is a part of the large button group
``` html
<divclass="large ui buttons">
<divclass="ui button">Cancel</div>
<divclass="ui button">Continue</div>
</div>
```
Examples of UI elements:
* Buttons
* Labels
* Headers
* Progress bars
### UI Collections
UI Collections are groups of heteregeneous UI elements which are usually found together. Carrying the chemistry metaphor, these can be thought of as molecules.
UI collections have a definition of elements that exist, or could exist inside of them. They do not usually require all elements to be found, but they describe a list of the "usual suspects". Unlike elements, collections are not typically useful to define in plural.
Examples of UI collections:
* Forms
* Tables
* Grids (Layout)
* Menus
### UI Modules
UI modules are elements where it's behavior is a fundamental part of its definition. UI Modules are dependent on the javascript which carry their definition. They also may be more complex, and have a variety of different functions. Further abusing the scientific analogy: These can be thought of as "organs".
Examples of UI modules:
* Popups
* Modals
* Chatrooms
* Calendar Pickers
### UI Views
UI Views are common ways to structure types of content so that it can be understood more easily. A view's definition in semantic only describes the content which typically occupies the view.
**Elements**: An element definition gives states which an elements can occupy, common types of that element, and if necessary, defines how the element functions in groups.
**Collections**: Collection definitions list elements that it can include, and variations which can apply to both the collection, or individual elements found in the collection.
**Views**: View specifications defines the types of content the view usually display, and the heirarchy typical to presenting this content to the user.
Semantic is based on class names, instead of tags. This means, except for links, tables and form elements, you can use semantic with tags like ``<div><article><nav>`` without any difference.
In Semantic, variations maintain context based on the element they modify, but keep the same vocabulary between elements. Just like how in English, the adjective 'big' may describe a different scale for a big planet versus a big insect.
Semantic is very new standard, and we need a community to become truly useful. We're working currently to determine the best ways to engage the community for contribution. If you'd like to participate feel free to reach out by e-mail [semantic@quirky.com](mailto:semantic@quirky.com)