The SPAN element is used in situations where the author wishes to apply
a style using Cascading Style Sheets to a content area (text, etc.) that does not
have a structured or established HTML rendering convention. It is an in-place
Character Formatting level element that does
NOT have an implied linebreak before and after the enclosed
content. For more information on Style Sheets, please see
Index DOT Css.
Note that the SPAN element was not listed in the
Character Formatting section, even though
it is a Character Level element. Span is a more generic HTML element that
does not carry any meaning without Style or other information attached. For
this reason, it is grouped with other elements that control Style Sheet use.
Because SPAN is a generalized in-line HTML Character
Formatting element, it should be used when you wish to define a general
grouping of Styled content. DIV (SPAN's Block Formatting
equivalent) should be used when you wish to create a generalized
Block Formatting element with an implied linebreak
before and after.