CSS refers to Cascading Style Sheets. It uses different styles for adding designs in HTML tags and writing styles in different documents. CSS styles describe the presentation of different web pages that includes colour, layout, and font styles.
The focus of CSS styles is to make the web page presentable for the users. CSS is designed to make different style sheets for the web. You can use it with XML-based markup language and HTML. The language allows you to add animations and effects to the web page.
Most developers use it to create simple animations like spinners, animated backgrounds, and click button effects. Without CSS styles, the website may resemble an HTML page – plain web pages without styles. CSS style sheets add value and make the page appealing.
Further reading: How To Create The Perfect About Me Page
What are the different CSS Style Sheets?
There are three main types of CSS style sheets – Inline, Internal, and External. Inline style sheets are used in HTML emails and CMS content (WordPress, Drupal). An internal style sheet is used to add a unique style in the head section of the HTML file for a single document. Whereas, the External style sheet is used to make changes on multiple pages. Each has its pros and cons, which you need to know before using them.
Contents
1. Inline CSS
To style a specific HTML element, you can use the Inline style. It lets you add style attributes to each HTML tag without the use of selectors. In short, the Inline style affects the tag that is written in it. Most developers don’t recommend the Inline style type as it needs to be managed individually. Using Inline CSS may be tough if you’re using a single style sheet.
However, you can use the style in some cases where there is no access to files. It lets you apply styles for a single element, which is an advantage. Inline-styles are not different from other ways, but it does require specifications.
You can use Inline styles in HTML emails, CMS content (WordPress and Drupal), and older websites. It is also useful for dynamic content. For manual web page building, Inline style is handy.
Adding Inline CSS to <p>and<h1>tag:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body style=”background-colour:black;”>
<h1 style=”Colour:white;padding:30px;”>Host Tutorials</h1>
<p style=”Colour:white;”>Something useful here.</p>
</body>
</html>
1.1 Pros and Cons of using Inline CSS
Pros of Inline CSS
- With Inline CSS, it is easier to insert rules to an HTML page. You can test or preview the different changes you make.
- It helps to perform a quick fix to your website. There is no need to create a separate document as it works on the external style.
- Inline-styles are user-defined styles applied by the readers. For any trouble applying the changes, write in the Inline style elements.
- They are quick to process and add as per your need. They also allow you to edit new elements at the top of the sheet or add different style attributes.
Cons of Inline CSS
- Inline CSS is a time-consuming process as you will have to add individual elements to the page.
- At times, it makes your HTML structure a tad messy. Multiple styling elements can affect your download time and page size.
- Inline styles on a web page can bloat or become hard to maintain down the line.
For example, if you wish to add a specific font to a font family, you will have to individually add the font in each paragraph, which is time-consuming.
2. Internal CSS
In Internal CSS, you need to add the style tag or embed it in the section of your HTML document. The Internal CSS method lets you add styling to a single page. As such, it is not feasible for using it as multiple page styles.
You will need to add CSS rules to all website pages. Internal styling ensures that all elements remain within the page. They are uniform in look and style. For similar styling across the pages, you will have the same styling code written at the top of each web page of your site. Internal CSS is used with external, which allows more control over the website.
Adding Internal CSS:
Open your HTML page and add locate the <head> opening tag
– Add the code <style type=”text/css”> after the <head> tag
Now, you can add CSS rule on the new line
body {background-colour: blue;
}
h1 {
colour: red;
padding: 60px;
}
Your file will appear as:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
body {
background-colour: blue;
}
h1 {
colour: red;
padding: 60px;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Hosting Tutorials</h1>
<p>This is our paragraph.</p>
</body>
</html>
2.2 Pros and Cons of using Internal CSS
Pros of Internal CSS
-
- In the Internal style sheet, you will be able to use class and ID selectors.
property1 : value1;
property2 : value2;
property3 : value3;
}#id {
property1 : value1;
property2 : value2;
property3 : value3;
}
- You don’t need to add multiple files, as you can add the code within the same HTML file.
- Internal style sheets affect the pages they are on. If you compare with the external style sheet, they have higher primacy.
- When you add the codes in Internal CSS, it may increase the page loading time and affect the page size.
- By including the styles in the head section, the lines of the code will increase.
- Most developers use debugging features in CSS. But, with a lengthy code, debugging will become complex.
- For a complex project, Internal CSS is not a feasible option.
- Styling multiple elements may affect the download time.
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3. External CSS
External CSS lets you link your web pages to external files. You can create it with a text editor using your device. It is the most popular CSS style used by developers to style large websites.
The best part, by editing a single CSS file, you can change your entire styling at once. You can connect external style sheets to different records, which works as a single style sheet. It keeps the code dry and improves the productivity and outcome of the page. It is not as time-consuming as Inline CSS, which saves time.
Adding External CSS:
You need to create a new CSS file with the text editor and add the style rule:
float: left;
width: 33%;
background:#809900;
}
.xmiddlecol {
float: left;
width: 34%;
background:#eff2df;
}
– Change the style.css with your file name using .css.
3.1 Pros and Cons of using External CSS
Pros of External CSS
- External CSS uses as a separate document, so all your HTML files will use a clean structure. The files are smaller in size, which saves time.
- The same .CSS file can be used for multiple uploads, so you don’t have to change it every time you style your website.
- You can control the style of few documents with size, which is a benefit.
- It lets you use selector and grouping strategies for styling complex web pages.
- Multiple elements can have numerous documents on the page, and you can create different classes for styles. External CSS is perfect for websites that use many elements.
- Until you load the External CSS, you won’t be able to render all pages. Uploading or linking may increase your website download time and affect the loading at times.
- The added download option will import documents with the style information.
- You will need to stack the outer template to render documents, and it can be a task for web developers. There is no specific option for small styling and definitions.
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The Final Verdict
There are three styles of CSS you can use for styling your web pages. Inline apply CSS rules only for some elements, and it can be time-consuming. In the internal CSS, you will need to add a style tag in the head section of the HTML document. External CSS lets you link HTML sheets to separate CSS files.
Which CSS style do you prefer? Do let us know.
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