How to remove the space between inline/inline-block elements?

Flexbox: The modern layout superhero

Flexbox, the modern marvel of CSS, achieves seamless alignment by setting display: flex; on the parent element leading to gapless alignment in child elements.

.parent { display: flex; } /* Detonating the flex bomb! */
.child { /* Style your child appropriately */ }
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This flex-effect does wonders in ensuring consistency across different browsers by surpassing the constraints of inline-block elements. Don't forget about those vendor prefixes such as -webkit-flex or -ms-flexbox to provide the ultimate cross-browser compatibility shield.

Server-side and template solutions: The space assassins

For some dynamic content, server-side languages prove to be the ultimate space assassins by manipulating HTML output. The result? A template output free of unintended spaces.

echo "<div class='child'>1</div><div class='child'>2</div>"; /* PHP joining the space-free revolution! */ 
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Further whitespace reduction is possible through skipping optional closing tags or exploiting server-side string functions.

Fine-tuning HTML and CSS: Enter the Space Craftsmen

To mold your HTML structure without any spaces, HTML comments or omitting optional closing tags can be your best tools in the arsenal.

<div>Item</div><!--
--><div>Item</div><!--
--><div>Item</div> <!-- Carving spaces out! -->
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There's also the promising white-space-collapsing: discard; CSS property. Before catapulting yourself onto this solution, do a thorough check to ensure it is consistent with the latest CSS standards and enjoys wide browser support.

Inline-block limitations: Cracking the 'Space' Code

Inline-block elements are notorious constructors of whitespace. Therefore understanding these meteors in CSS for what they are - boxed words, is a good starting point.

For complex layouts, don't forget that you have more powerful friends at your side - Flexbox or Grid. These are your weapons for control and responsiveness when inline-block fails to rise to the challenge.

Breaking free from the float cage

Let's be honest, in our Flexbox era, float: left; is as needed as sunscreen at night. Harness the power of flex properties for element alignment, to create more sophisticated and cleaner layouts:

.parent { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; } /* Float? Sorry, I don't know it. */
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Readability: The heart of Maintenance

While defying spaces, never discount the power of readable and understandble code. HTML comments can be your faithful sidekick to control whitespace while making sure your code is well indented and commented.