---
layout: doc
title: deliteful/LinearLayout
---
# deliteful/LinearLayout
``deliteful/LinearLayout`` is a CSS layout container based on the [CSS3 Flexible Box Layout Module](http://www.w3.org/TR/css3-flexbox/).
The children of a ``deliteful/LinearLayout`` container can be laid out horizontally or vertically, and can fill unused space.
##### Table of Contents
[Element Instantiation](#instantiation)
[Element Configuration](#configuration)
[Element Styling](#styling)
[Enterprise Use](#enterprise)
## Element Instantiation
See [`delite/Widget`](/delite/docs/master/Widget.md) for full details on how instantiation lifecycle is working.
### Declarative Instantiation
```js
require(["delite/register", "deliteful/LinearLayout", "requirejs-domready/domReady!"], function (register) {
register.parse();
});
```
```html
Left (20%)
Center (Fill Space)
Right (50px)
```
### Programmatic Instantiation
```js
require(["deliteful/LinearLayout", "requirejs-domready/domReady!"], function (LinearLayout) {
var layout = new LinearLayout({vertical: false});
layout.style.width = "100%";
var leftChild = document.createElement("div");
var centerChild = document.createElement("div");
var rightChild = document.createElement("div");
leftChild.style.width = "20%";
centerChild.class = "fill";
rightChild.style.width = "50px";
layout.addChild(leftChild);
layout.addChild(centerChild);
layout.addChild(rightChild);
layout.placeAt(document.body);
});
```
## Element Configuration
### Properties
The layout direction is controlled by the `vertical` property which is `true` by default.
The *main* direction of a LinearLayout is controlled by the ``vertical`` property which is true by default.
The direction perpendicular to the *main* axis is called the *cross* direction. For example, if the *main* direction is vertical, *the cross* direction is horizontal.
### Setting the *main* size of children
In the *main* direction, children of a LinearLayout widget support the following sizing constraints:
| Constraint | Example |
| ------------------------------------- | ------------------- |
| Natural Size (no size set explicitly) | |
| Fixed Size | style="width: 150px" |
| Percentage Size | style="width: 30%" |
| *Fill Available Space* | class="fill" |
These constraints can be mixed together for children of the same container.
### Setting the *cross* size of children
If nothing specified, a child fill its parent in the *cross* direction. If the *cross* size of the LinearLayout is set, you can specify a percentage size for the cross size of children.
The *cross* size of a child can be also a fixed size.
### Nesting LinearLayout containers
Nesting LinearLayout instances can be used to build layouts in two dimensions.
### Getting the sub-child of a LinearLayout to fill 100% in height
If you set ``style="width:100%; height:100%"`` or ``class="width100 height100"`` (defined in [`defaultapp.css`](/delite/docs/master/defaultapp.md)) on a LinearLayout sub-child and if its computed height is greater than its parent height, it will be displayed out of bounds of the container.
To avoid this behaviour, you must add ``position: absolute`` on the sub-child.
### Getting equal-size children in the *main* direction
You just have to set the ``fill`` class on all children.
### Examples
## Element Styling
LinearLayout has no visual appearance, it does not provide any CSS class for styling.
If `vertical` is `true`, the height of LinearLayout must be explicitly set, otherwise the width must be explictly set.
To set the height of a LinearLayout using a percentage expression, the height of all its ancestors (including ``) must also be expressed as percentage.
### CSS Good Practices
* LinearLayout CSS ``position`` property should not be changed.
* Direct children of a LinearLayout have their CSS `position` attribute set to `relative`. This should not be changed.
* Setting padding for both the LinearLayout and its children is discouraged since it's not well supported on Firefox.
* Using ``position:absolute``, `top`, `right`, `bottom` and `left` for the position/size of content inside a direct children of LinearLayout
is discouraged since it's not supported on some Android stock browser.
* Setting ``display:inline-flex`` on a LinearLayout is discouraged since it's not well supported on Safari iOS and
Android stock browsers.
## Enterprise Use
### Accessibility
Relies on browser.
### Globalization
`deliteful/LinearLayout` does not provide any internationalizable bundle.
Right to left orientation is supported by setting the `dir` attribute to `rtl` on the LinearLayout element:
```html
```
### Security
This widget has no specific security concern. Refer to `delite/Widget` documentation for general security advice on this base class that LinearLayout is using.
### Browser Support
This widget supports all supported browsers except Internet Explorer 9.