Why use tables to structure your layout?

Question

Looking at the source code for Stack Overflow, I noticed they have used tables and inline CSS quite a bit, also something I found odd was use of inline table attribute forma

Answer 1

Having not been involved in SO development, I only speak generally:

I've found that tables are often easier and more consistent across browsers than CSS-based layouts.

Also, emitting random CSS here and there often happens when trying to get things done. It can be refactored later, I suppose.

With respect to why they chose to set a table's width in HTML instead of CSS, I couldn't say.

I know that SO used a real, honest to goodness designer when they started. I don't know, though, if that designer gave them an image of what the site should look like or actual markup.

Please don't flame me for saying so. We're not all CSS ninjas.