CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and Its Functions

When starting a website, there are unlimited possibilities for design. It may be tempting to create an aesthetically pleasing website using different shades of colors, varied font sizes, and other design elements, but it may result in an unprofessional and confusing look. This is where CSS comes in handy. CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets and is a coding language utilized to format HTML documents to display webpage design with consistency and style. In this blog, we’ll dive into what CSS is, its benefits, how it works, examples, and common questions.

CSS is a styling language allowing designers to specify and change the appearance of a group or individual elements on a webpage. CSS separates style and design from content using a syntax that instructs the browser how to display webpage layout. The purpose of CSS is two-fold: to simplify and standardize the process of developing websites, and to maintain site, navigation, and design consistency throughout HTML documents.

Why use CSS?

Website design needs to keep up with the brand’s image and maintain the website’s desired results and goals. CSS is the best way to accomplish this. Once the developer sets up CSS, any changes made will be reflected throughout all web pages using the CSS. Keep in mind that no matter how many changes tools you use with CSS, the HTML markup will always remain the same. As a result, CSS saves time and reduces upkeep and maintenance costs.

How does it work?

To ensure consistency across an entire website, developers use a single CSS document linked to each webpage. This highly simplifies design changes, as there is a centralized location for modifications. Without CSS, designers would need to change each webpage individually; a time-consuming and tedious process.

Examples

Let’s take an example. A developer is given the task of changing the background of a website to blue. Without CSS, they would have to manually go in and change the HTML of every webpage, taking hours. With CSS, the developer just needs to change the code in their CSS document from white to blue color. The contrasting background then automatically updates on all web pages that reference that CSS file.

Common Questions and answers

Do I need to learn HTML before CSS?

Yes, CSS has to work alongside HTML, so HTML is essential. You cannot learn CSS without knowing HTML.

Will CSS work on all browsers?

Yes, most modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, support CSS.

Which version of CSS should I use?

Most browsers support the latest version of CSS, but it is recommended to use the version specified for backward compatibility purposes.

CSS streamlines website development, reduces maintenance expenses, and enables consistent design changes across all web pages. The benefits of CSS are numerous, and every web designer should take the time to master this powerful tool. Understanding how CSS works, its examples, and common questions is crucial to developing a cohesive, professional-looking website that can help to truly represent your brand.