< Glossary

Glossary

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) 

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a stylesheet language used to define the visual presentation of web documents written in markup languages like HTML. It allows dev teams to control the layout as well as colors, fonts, and spacing.

What is CSS?

CSS allows developers to separate content from design by applying styles to HTML elements. This separation enhances maintainability and scalability, as a single CSS file can style multiple pages. 

The “cascading” aspect refers to the priority scheme determining which style rules apply when multiple rules target the same element.

Key Features of CSS

CSS offers several features that enhance web development:

  • Separation of Concerns: By keeping style definitions separate from HTML content, CSS promotes cleaner code and easier maintenance.
  • Responsive Design: CSS enables designs that adapt to various screen sizes and devices.
  • Reusability: External CSS files can be linked to multiple HTML pages, ensuring consistent styling across a website.
  • Flexibility: CSS provides a wide range of styling options, including animations, transitions, and layout controls

These features make CSS an integral part of modern web development.

Types of CSS

CSS can be implemented in three primary ways:

  • Inline CSS: Styles are applied directly within HTML elements using the style attribute.
  • Internal CSS: Styles are defined within a <style> tag in the HTML document’s <head> section.
  • External CSS: Styles are placed in a separate .css file and linked to the HTML document using a <link> tag.

Choosing the appropriate type depends on the project’s complexity and the need for reusability.

CSS vs. HTML

While both CSS and HTML are fundamental to web development, they serve distinct purposes:

  • HTML (HyperText Markup Language): Defines the structure and content of web pages using elements like headings, paragraphs, and images.
  • CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Controls the visual presentation of HTML elements, including layout, colors, and fonts.

In essence, HTML provides the skeleton of a webpage, while CSS adds the visual appeal. 

CSS in Modern Web Development

CSS has evolved to support advanced features such as:

  • Media Queries: Allow styles to adapt based on device characteristics like screen size and resolution.
  • Flexbox and Grid Layouts: Provide powerful tools for creating complex, responsive layouts.
  • Animations and Transitions: Enable dynamic visual effects to enhance user engagement.

These capabilities make CSS indispensable for creating responsive and interactive web applications.

Whether you are designing a simple landing page or a complex web application, mastering CSS is essential for delivering polished and user-friendly digital experiences. Efficient workflows and rapid iteration are key to success in frontend development.

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