Complete CSS Documentation
1. Introduction to CSS
What is CSS?
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a stylesheet language used to control the layout
and presentation of web pages written in HTML or XML.
It separates content from design, allowing for easier maintenance and styling.
Key Concepts
Cascading: Styles can cascade from one style sheet to another, allowing for
multiple sources of styling.
Selector: A pattern used to select the elements you want to style.
Declaration Block: Contains properties and values that apply to the selected
elements.
2. CSS Syntax
Basic Structure
A CSS rule consists of a selector and a declaration block.
Example:
css
selector {
property: value;
}
Comments
Use /* comment */ for multi-line comments.
3. CSS Selectors
Basic Selectors
Universal Selector: * - Selects all elements.
Type Selector: div - Selects all <div> elements.
Class Selector: .class-name - Selects elements with a specific class.
ID Selector: #id-name - Selects an element with a specific ID.
Combinators
Descendant Selector: div p - Selects all <p> elements inside <div>.
Child Selector: div > p - Selects all <p> elements that are direct children of
<div>.
Adjacent Sibling Selector: h1 + p - Selects the first <p> element immediately
after an <h1>.
General Sibling Selector: h1 ~ p - Selects all <p> elements that are siblings of
<h1>.
Attribute Selectors
[attribute] - Selects elements with a specific attribute.
[attribute="value"] - Selects elements with a specific attribute value.
Pseudo-Classes
Examples:
:hover - Applies styles when the element is hovered over.
:focus - Applies styles when the element is focused.
:nth-child(n) - Selects the nth child of a parent.
Pseudo-Elements
Examples:
::before - Inserts content before an element.
::after - Inserts content after an element.
::first-letter - Styles the first letter of an element.
4. CSS Properties
Text Properties
color: Sets the text color.
font-family: Specifies the font.
font-size: Sets the size of the font.
font-weight: Sets the thickness of the font.
line-height: Sets the height of a line of text.
text-align: Aligns the text (left, right, center, justify).
text-decoration: Adds decoration to text (underline, overline, line-through).
Box Model
Width and Height: Set the dimensions of an element.
Padding: Space between the content and the border.
Border: Thickness and style of the border around an element.
Margin: Space outside the border.
Background Properties
background-color: Sets the background color.
background-image: Sets an image as the background.
background-size: Controls the size of the background image.
background-repeat: Defines how the background image is repeated.
background-position: Sets the starting position of a background image.
Display Properties
display: Controls how an element is displayed (block, inline, inline-block,
flex, grid, none).
visibility: Controls whether an element is visible.
opacity: Sets the transparency level of an element.
Positioning
static: Default positioning.
relative: Positioned relative to its normal position.
absolute: Positioned relative to the nearest positioned ancestor.
fixed: Positioned relative to the viewport, stays in place during scrolling.
sticky: Toggles between relative and fixed positioning based on scroll position.
Float and Clear
float: Allows elements to be taken out of the normal document flow and
positioned to the left or right.
clear: Specifies whether an element can be next to floating elements or if it
should be moved below them.
5. Layout Techniques
Flexbox
A one-dimensional layout model for aligning items in rows or columns.
Key properties include:
display: flex;
flex-direction: Defines the direction of the flex items (row or column).
justify-content: Aligns items along the main axis.
align-items: Aligns items along the cross axis.
flex-wrap: Determines whether flex items should wrap onto multiple
lines.
Grid
A two-dimensional layout model for arranging items in rows and columns.
Key properties include:
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: Defines the number and size of columns.
grid-template-rows: Defines the number and size of rows.
grid-area: Assigns an item to a specific grid area.
gap: Sets the space between grid items.
CSS Multi-Column Layout
Allows content to be split into multiple columns.
Key properties include:
column-count: Specifies the number of columns.
column-gap: Sets the space between columns.
column-rule: Defines the style, width, and color of the line separating
columns.
6. CSS Transitions and Animations
Transitions
Control the change of property values smoothly over a specified duration.
Example:
css
.box {
transition: background-color 0.5s ease;
}
.box:hover {
background-color: blue;
}
Animations
Create complex animations using @keyframes.
Example:
css
@keyframes slide {
from { transform: translateX(0); }
to { transform: translateX(100px); }
}
.animated {
animation: slide 2s infinite;
}
7. Media Queries
Used for responsive design to apply styles based on device characteristics.
Example:
css
@media (max-width: 600px) {
body {
background-color: lightblue;
}
}
8. CSS Variables (Custom Properties)
Allow you to define reusable values throughout your CSS.
Example:
css
:root {
--main-color: #3498db;
}
body {
background-color: var(--main-color);
}
9. CSS Functions
Color Functions
rgba(): Defines a color with red, green, blue, and alpha (transparency).
hsl(): Defines a color using hue, saturation, and lightness.
var(): Used to access CSS variables.
Positioning Functions
calc(): Performs calculations to set values.
clamp(): Constrains a value between a defined range.
10. Advanced CSS Techniques
CSS Grid Layout Techniques
Nested Grids: Creating grids within grids for more complex layouts.
Grid Template Areas: Using named areas for easier layout management.
Responsive Design Techniques
Mobile-First Approach: Designing for mobile devices first and then using media
queries for larger screens.
Fluid Layouts: Using relative units like percentages and vw/vh for responsive
designs.
