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CSS

Posted by Christian Elssner
Christian Elssner
Courses Plus Student 809 Points

Question regarding Adaptive sites vs. Responsive Sites

A quiz question in the building a responsive website library stated "Responsive sites are adaptive, but Adaptive sites are not responsive"; True or False. I answered True, which was correct, but still have problems with answer.

Shouldn't the question be more properly formed as "Responsive sites are adaptive, but Adaptive sites are not necessarily responsive."

I am confused on why an adaptive site that has relative widths isn't just a responsive site? What makes and adaptive site that has relative widths unique to not be just defined as a responsive site?

From the learning material, the simple definition of a responsive site is one hat is fluid (relative widths) and uses queries. Isn't this just the same as an Adaptive Site with relative widths?

Thanks

4 Answers

Allison Grayce Marshall
STAFF
Allison Grayce Marshall
Treehouse Guest Teacher
Allison Grayce Marshall
Allison Grayce Marshall
Treehouse Guest Teacher

Hey Christian!

The question is worded a little tricky but it is correct.

Adaptive websites are selectively optimized for a limited number of devices whereas responsive websites are intended to be optimized for not just the iPhone but all resolutions and devices – the universal web.

So technically, a responsive website is adaptive because it does target those devices, but an adaptive website is not responsive because it isn't optimized for everything else in between.

Phew. Does that make sense? :)

Allison

James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points
James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points

FWIW I think the question is correct as worded.

Hopefully this will shed some light on the matter.

Adaptive VS Responsive Design

source: http://viljamis.com/blog/2012/adaptive-vs-responsive-whats-the-difference.php

Nick Pettit
STAFF
Nick Pettit
Treehouse Teacher
Nick Pettit
Nick Pettit
Treehouse Teacher

Hey Christian,

That's a good point. I've emailed Allison about your post so that she can address this.

Christian Elssner
PLUS
Christian Elssner
Courses Plus Student 809 Points
Christian Elssner
Christian Elssner
Courses Plus Student 809 Points

Thanks Allison. That makes a lot more sense now. I just wanted to know what differentiates/contrasts the two site types, i.e. adaptive & responsive, more clearly.