CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a style language that allows you to separate the content of a web page from its appearance. Web pages consist of two main components: content (HTML) and styles (CSS). HTML is responsible for the structure and content of the page, while CSS is responsible for its appearance – colors, fonts, element placement, and much more. Thanks to CSS, web designers can create stylish, attractive, and user-friendly interfaces.

What is CSS?

CSS is a language that allows you to design web pages. It was developed in 1996 as a way to add styling to HTML documents. CSS allows you to change the colors, fonts, sizes of elements, their location, and create effects and animations that make web pages more interactive and enjoyable for the user.

One of the main principles of CSS is the separation of content (HTML) and style (CSS). This makes it easier to edit the design of web pages without having to change the content itself.

How does CSS work?

CSS works by using selections that apply styles to specific elements on a page. When you write CSS, you identify which element on a page should be changed and specify how that element should look.

There are three main ways to apply CSS to a web page:

  • Inline styles: CSS can be embedded directly into an HTML document by applying styles to individual elements.
  • Inline styles: Styles can be written in a separate block in an HTML document, usually in the section.
  • External styles: This is the most common way to use CSS. The styles are written in a separate file (with the .css extension), which is then included in the HTML document.

Basic CSS properties

CSS has many properties that allow you to control how elements look. Here are a few of them:

  • Text color: In CSS, you can change the color of text on a page using the color property.
  • Background: The background property lets you change the background of page elements, such as colors, images, or gradients.
  • Fonts: To change fonts, you can use the font-family, font-size, font-weight, and other properties.
  • Dimensions: In CSS, you can specify the dimensions of elements using the width, height, margin, and padding properties.
  • Position: In CSS you can change the position of elements on the page using the position, float, display properties.

CSS structure

CSS has a simple structure that consists of two main parts: selector and declaration.

  • The Selector is the part that defines which elements on the page will be applied to the styles. For example, you can select all headings on a page, all paragraphs, or a specific element by ID or class.
  • Declaration is the part that contains the actual styles. A declaration consists of a property (what is changed) and a value (how it is changed).

Why is it important to learn CSS?

CSS is one of the main languages for web development, and learning it is necessary for everyone who wants to create modern web pages. Knowledge of CSS allows you to create websites that not only look attractive but are also user-friendly. CSS allows you to achieve web page responsiveness, i.e. make them easy to view on any device, be it computers, smartphones, or tablets.

Without CSS, web pages would look very simple and uninteresting, and the design would be very limited. With CSS, web developers can add effects, animations, layers, and a variety of stylistic elements to make the user experience more engaging and enjoyable.

Principles of good design in CSS

CSS not only allows you to change the look and feel of web pages, but also helps you create good, user-friendly interfaces. Here are some important design principles to follow:

  • Simplicity: Use minimalism and simplicity in the choice of colors, fonts, and elements. This will make your page clean and pleasant to look at.
  • Responsiveness: Web pages need to look good on all devices, so it’s important to use responsive design techniques that ensure they display correctly on different screens.
  • Contrast: Make sure that the colors on the page are contrasted enough to make the text easy to read.
  • Consistency: Use the same styles for similar elements on all pages of the website to create a harmonious structure and a unified style.

Resources for learning CSS

You can start learning CSS with simple online courses, tutorials, and hands-on exercises. There are plenty of resources to help you master the basics and become a web design professional. It is important to practice by creating real projects and applying the knowledge in practice.

Conclusion

CSS is an important tool for every web developer. It allows you to create beautiful and functional web pages, control their appearance, and provide a convenient user experience. Starting with the basics, you can develop your skills and create effective and stylish interfaces for web applications and websites.

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