Use CSS wildcard as a parameter [duplicate] - css

It is possible to pass parameters for CSS in class name? For example:
.mrg-t-X {
margin-top: Xpx;
}
<span class="mrg-t-10">Test</span>
In this example X should be 10.

No it isn't. The closest we have to this is the attr() function, but that only works within the content property:
figure::before {
content: attr(data-before) ', ';
}
figure::after {
content: attr(data-after) '!';
}
<figure data-before="Hello" data-after="world"></figure>
Perhaps one day this will be expanded so that we can use it elsewhere, but for now this isn't possible.
Currently as I'm sure you're aware if you want to be able to use the .mrg-t-X class, you'll need to define separate style rules for each X you wish to allow:
.mrg-t-1 { ... }
.mrg-t-2 { ... }
.mrg-t-3 { ... }
...

Nowdays you can use CSS variable inside a style attribute instead generating a specific class:
Custom properties (sometimes referred to as CSS variables or cascading variables) are entities defined by CSS authors that contain specific values to be reused throughout a document. They are set using custom property notation (e.g., --main-color: black;) and are accessed using the var() function (e.g., color: var(--main-color);).
Complex websites have very large amounts of CSS, often with a lot of repeated values. For example, the same color might be used in hundreds of different places, requiring global search and replace if that color needs to change. Custom properties allow a value to be stored in one place, then referenced in multiple other places. An additional benefit is semantic identifiers. For example, --main-text-color is easier to understand than #00ff00, especially if this same color is also used in other contexts.
Custom properties are subject to the cascade and inherit their value from their parent.
example
span {
display: block;
margin-top: var(--m-t);
}
html {
background: repeating-linear-gradient(to bottom, transparent, 10px, lightgrey 10px, lightgrey 20px);} /* see 10px steps */
<span style="--m-t:50px">one</span>
<span style="--m-t:85px">two</span>
<span style="--m-t:110px;">three</span>

Maybe you are looking for SCSS or LESS. It have mixins, variables, etc, and it autocompile real and long css. It was maded to this purposes and write less and less css with the same result.
http://sass-lang.com/guide
http://lesscss.org/
#size: 10px;
.class { font-size: #size; }
Good luck!

It isn't possible to directly pass parameters using just CSS but you're not the first person to ask - check out this question which looks at CSS and JavaScript options and also this might be helpful regarding attribute selection.
This will only help if you are looking at a few variables of margin-top but I don't know what context you're using this in. Depending on what you're using it for there might be better ways.
The simplest way would probably be just to add the style inline to your span <span style="margin-top:10px"> but I try to stay away from inline CSS!

no your code is wrong
but you can write css inside the tag
*<span style="margin-top:Xpx;">*

Related

Dynamic CSS class [duplicate]

It is possible to pass parameters for CSS in class name? For example:
.mrg-t-X {
margin-top: Xpx;
}
<span class="mrg-t-10">Test</span>
In this example X should be 10.
No it isn't. The closest we have to this is the attr() function, but that only works within the content property:
figure::before {
content: attr(data-before) ', ';
}
figure::after {
content: attr(data-after) '!';
}
<figure data-before="Hello" data-after="world"></figure>
Perhaps one day this will be expanded so that we can use it elsewhere, but for now this isn't possible.
Currently as I'm sure you're aware if you want to be able to use the .mrg-t-X class, you'll need to define separate style rules for each X you wish to allow:
.mrg-t-1 { ... }
.mrg-t-2 { ... }
.mrg-t-3 { ... }
...
Nowdays you can use CSS variable inside a style attribute instead generating a specific class:
Custom properties (sometimes referred to as CSS variables or cascading variables) are entities defined by CSS authors that contain specific values to be reused throughout a document. They are set using custom property notation (e.g., --main-color: black;) and are accessed using the var() function (e.g., color: var(--main-color);).
Complex websites have very large amounts of CSS, often with a lot of repeated values. For example, the same color might be used in hundreds of different places, requiring global search and replace if that color needs to change. Custom properties allow a value to be stored in one place, then referenced in multiple other places. An additional benefit is semantic identifiers. For example, --main-text-color is easier to understand than #00ff00, especially if this same color is also used in other contexts.
Custom properties are subject to the cascade and inherit their value from their parent.
example
span {
display: block;
margin-top: var(--m-t);
}
html {
background: repeating-linear-gradient(to bottom, transparent, 10px, lightgrey 10px, lightgrey 20px);} /* see 10px steps */
<span style="--m-t:50px">one</span>
<span style="--m-t:85px">two</span>
<span style="--m-t:110px;">three</span>
Maybe you are looking for SCSS or LESS. It have mixins, variables, etc, and it autocompile real and long css. It was maded to this purposes and write less and less css with the same result.
http://sass-lang.com/guide
http://lesscss.org/
#size: 10px;
.class { font-size: #size; }
Good luck!
It isn't possible to directly pass parameters using just CSS but you're not the first person to ask - check out this question which looks at CSS and JavaScript options and also this might be helpful regarding attribute selection.
This will only help if you are looking at a few variables of margin-top but I don't know what context you're using this in. Depending on what you're using it for there might be better ways.
The simplest way would probably be just to add the style inline to your span <span style="margin-top:10px"> but I try to stay away from inline CSS!
no your code is wrong
but you can write css inside the tag
*<span style="margin-top:Xpx;">*

CSS Set dynamic value depend on class [duplicate]

It is possible to pass parameters for CSS in class name? For example:
.mrg-t-X {
margin-top: Xpx;
}
<span class="mrg-t-10">Test</span>
In this example X should be 10.
No it isn't. The closest we have to this is the attr() function, but that only works within the content property:
figure::before {
content: attr(data-before) ', ';
}
figure::after {
content: attr(data-after) '!';
}
<figure data-before="Hello" data-after="world"></figure>
Perhaps one day this will be expanded so that we can use it elsewhere, but for now this isn't possible.
Currently as I'm sure you're aware if you want to be able to use the .mrg-t-X class, you'll need to define separate style rules for each X you wish to allow:
.mrg-t-1 { ... }
.mrg-t-2 { ... }
.mrg-t-3 { ... }
...
Nowdays you can use CSS variable inside a style attribute instead generating a specific class:
Custom properties (sometimes referred to as CSS variables or cascading variables) are entities defined by CSS authors that contain specific values to be reused throughout a document. They are set using custom property notation (e.g., --main-color: black;) and are accessed using the var() function (e.g., color: var(--main-color);).
Complex websites have very large amounts of CSS, often with a lot of repeated values. For example, the same color might be used in hundreds of different places, requiring global search and replace if that color needs to change. Custom properties allow a value to be stored in one place, then referenced in multiple other places. An additional benefit is semantic identifiers. For example, --main-text-color is easier to understand than #00ff00, especially if this same color is also used in other contexts.
Custom properties are subject to the cascade and inherit their value from their parent.
example
span {
display: block;
margin-top: var(--m-t);
}
html {
background: repeating-linear-gradient(to bottom, transparent, 10px, lightgrey 10px, lightgrey 20px);} /* see 10px steps */
<span style="--m-t:50px">one</span>
<span style="--m-t:85px">two</span>
<span style="--m-t:110px;">three</span>
Maybe you are looking for SCSS or LESS. It have mixins, variables, etc, and it autocompile real and long css. It was maded to this purposes and write less and less css with the same result.
http://sass-lang.com/guide
http://lesscss.org/
#size: 10px;
.class { font-size: #size; }
Good luck!
It isn't possible to directly pass parameters using just CSS but you're not the first person to ask - check out this question which looks at CSS and JavaScript options and also this might be helpful regarding attribute selection.
This will only help if you are looking at a few variables of margin-top but I don't know what context you're using this in. Depending on what you're using it for there might be better ways.
The simplest way would probably be just to add the style inline to your span <span style="margin-top:10px"> but I try to stay away from inline CSS!
no your code is wrong
but you can write css inside the tag
*<span style="margin-top:Xpx;">*

CSS property value from class name

It is possible to pass parameters for CSS in class name? For example:
.mrg-t-X {
margin-top: Xpx;
}
<span class="mrg-t-10">Test</span>
In this example X should be 10.
No it isn't. The closest we have to this is the attr() function, but that only works within the content property:
figure::before {
content: attr(data-before) ', ';
}
figure::after {
content: attr(data-after) '!';
}
<figure data-before="Hello" data-after="world"></figure>
Perhaps one day this will be expanded so that we can use it elsewhere, but for now this isn't possible.
Currently as I'm sure you're aware if you want to be able to use the .mrg-t-X class, you'll need to define separate style rules for each X you wish to allow:
.mrg-t-1 { ... }
.mrg-t-2 { ... }
.mrg-t-3 { ... }
...
Nowdays you can use CSS variable inside a style attribute instead generating a specific class:
Custom properties (sometimes referred to as CSS variables or cascading variables) are entities defined by CSS authors that contain specific values to be reused throughout a document. They are set using custom property notation (e.g., --main-color: black;) and are accessed using the var() function (e.g., color: var(--main-color);).
Complex websites have very large amounts of CSS, often with a lot of repeated values. For example, the same color might be used in hundreds of different places, requiring global search and replace if that color needs to change. Custom properties allow a value to be stored in one place, then referenced in multiple other places. An additional benefit is semantic identifiers. For example, --main-text-color is easier to understand than #00ff00, especially if this same color is also used in other contexts.
Custom properties are subject to the cascade and inherit their value from their parent.
example
span {
display: block;
margin-top: var(--m-t);
}
html {
background: repeating-linear-gradient(to bottom, transparent, 10px, lightgrey 10px, lightgrey 20px);} /* see 10px steps */
<span style="--m-t:50px">one</span>
<span style="--m-t:85px">two</span>
<span style="--m-t:110px;">three</span>
Maybe you are looking for SCSS or LESS. It have mixins, variables, etc, and it autocompile real and long css. It was maded to this purposes and write less and less css with the same result.
http://sass-lang.com/guide
http://lesscss.org/
#size: 10px;
.class { font-size: #size; }
Good luck!
It isn't possible to directly pass parameters using just CSS but you're not the first person to ask - check out this question which looks at CSS and JavaScript options and also this might be helpful regarding attribute selection.
This will only help if you are looking at a few variables of margin-top but I don't know what context you're using this in. Depending on what you're using it for there might be better ways.
The simplest way would probably be just to add the style inline to your span <span style="margin-top:10px"> but I try to stay away from inline CSS!
no your code is wrong
but you can write css inside the tag
*<span style="margin-top:Xpx;">*

Using variables in CSS

Is there/what is the best way to set a variable in my CSS stylesheet that is cross browser compatible?
I want to set
color: #123456;
into a variable since I am using it in numerous different spots and if I choose to change that colour I want it all the change.
CSS Variables are a thing but the only browser that has any support for it at this time is Mozilla.
Alternative options:
use Javascript and/or a server-side language to set the variables in your CSS file programatically.
use a CSS preprocessor like SASS. This allows you to create variables. You do have to re-deploy your CSS each time.
consider handling colors a different way in your markup.
Regarding the last one, instead of hardcoding a color into an elements style:
<div class="thisElement"></div>
.thisElement {
font-size: 13px
background: red;
color: #123456;
}
consider using classes for this instea:
<div class="thisElement color1"></div>
.thisElement {
font-size: 13px
background: red;
}
.color1 {
color: #123456;
}
That way you only need to declare the color once in your style sheet. This is essentially 'object oriented CSS'. The idea is that instead of applying monolithic style declarations for each DOM object, you instead declare 'snippets' of style to a bunch of separate classes, then assign those separate classes as you see fit to each DOM object.
In a sense, you've turned the class name, itself, into the variable. You declare it in your CSS once, then use it as many times as needed in your HTML.
If you want to do it in native css you can't. However, you can use technologies / preprocessors like SASS / LESS to achieve exactly what you are describing.
Cross-browser compatibility, variables and calculating.
Once you get used to the syntax (which is really easy to understand and modify) and you are ready to go, SASS creates the "plain" css files for you. Keeps your code clean, simple and easy to maintain.
Have a look at this:
http://sass-lang.com/
Also, here you can find some examples and snippets to have a first impression.
Its not well supported, but this is how it works according to
http://www.w3.org/TR/css-variables/
Custom properties define variables, referenced with the var() notation, which can be used for many purposes. For example, a page that consistently uses a small set of colors in its design can store the colors in custom properties and use them with variables:
:root {
--main-color: #06c;
--accent-color: #006;
}
/* The rest of the CSS file */
#foo h1 {
color: var(--main-color);
}
You can to use a preprocessor like SASS, which has this done much better.

Replacing CSS classes with more generic ones

I'm currently working on refactoring a large amount of CSS, and a common trend I'm seeing is that several classes have been created for a very specific item on a page. Rather than trying to describe what they do, the classes are named things like "PressReleaseText", or "SpecLabel", etc. Most of these just define one item, like a font-size or a color.
I'm wondering if it would be better to just create several utility classes, like .fontSize140 {font-size: 140%;}, .bgColorWhite{ background-color: white;}, and utilize those in place of all the duplication occurring across the current set of classes.
Are there any drawbacks to doing this? The point where it becomes blurry is if a current class has 3 attributes set, like color, background color, and font size, and I already have generic classes for all three of those, would my class definition in the html just look something like class="white bgColorBlue fontSize140". That just seems excessive.
This is absolutely a horrible practice. It's 10x worse than the current class names that you're trying to replace. Consider the following class names:
fontSize140
bgColorWhite
marginTop150
These are obviously very descriptive class names. The problem is that they describe the styles behind the class, not the content that it styles. While this can be easier to read in HTML, it will be a complete nightmare in the future when and if you decide to make even the tiniest redesign.
For example, let's say we just applied these three classes to a block of text. It has a font size of 140%, a white background, and a top margin of 150px. That's all fine--until we decide that it needs to be 90% font, a blue background, and no top margin. Now, not only do you have to change the CSS declarations, you have to either:
(1) edit every instance of the class in the HTML to be fontSize90bgColorBlueNoTopMargin or whatever; or
(2) leave the class name alone and leave an extremely confusing class name in the HTML.
Either way it will be a massive pain for you in the future, whereas the current class names (e.g., specLabel, pressReleaseText) appropriately describe the content that they style; their styles can be easily changed without affecting the content inside of them, and thereby never affecting the name of the class.
Part of the point of CSS is to separate the content from the presentation, to make it easier to alter the presentation without altering the content. If you have class="white bgColorBlue fontSize140" all over the place, you have defeated this goal; you might as well just go with style="color: white; background-color: blue; font-size: 140%". Your classes should say what you mean not what you want it to look like.
If you find yourself repeating certain settings for lots of classes, like the following
.PreReleaseText { font-size: 140% }
.SpecLabel { font-size: 140%; background-color: white }
.SomeOtherThing { font-size: 140% }
You can instead combine several of them into one single rule
.PreReleaseText, .SpecLabel, .SomeOtherThing { font-size: 140% }
.SpecLabel { background-color: white }
If you really do just have several classes that are synonyms of each other, you might want to think about why that is. Why are all of those styled the same way? Is there some class name you can come up with that encompasses all of those uses? Or is it just incidental that they happen to be styled the same way? If it's just incidental, then they should have separate rules, so you can easily update the styles of each class independently. If there is some unifying theme, then perhaps you should merge them into a single class.
Remember to consider what will happen in different media, or in a redesign. Imagine that the company is bought out, and you want to change the color scheme to match the new corporate colors, without doing a full redesign. If you have a .bgColorWhite class, but only some of the things labelled with that class should change to a new color in the redesign, you'll have to go through all of your templates and markup again to separate out the classes, but if you labelled them with more meaningful classes, you may be able to just tweak the colors in the appropriate classes.
These are some general guidelines; you should always use what works best for you. If you had a more specific example, I might be able to suggest a better way of refactoring your classes for your specific need.
There is not a right and wrong way to do this as far as I'm concerned. It depends on knowing how often you'll reuse things and what makes it easiest to understand the CSS. I've often seen those general things like .fontSize140 end up causing problems later on when you have to make changes. I prefer in most cases to group classes but keep the individual names.
So I might have
.Thing1,
.Thing2,
.Thing3 { font-size:14px; }
.Thing1 { font-weight:bold; }
.Thing2 { font-size:italic; }
Instead of having
.font14 { font-size:14px; }
And then still needing the .Thing1 and .Thing2 clases.
That was I can always change the CSS easily later without having to worry what is sharing that common .fontSize140 for example.
I would stay away from getting too general like .fontSomeSize. That said i generally try and use classes that define things as logical "types" or "objects" for example .ruled-list or .summary.
Why don't you try something like this:
Use a css preprocessor like sass.
/* define app/website colors */
$main-color: #223c61;
$secondary-color: #2954a2;
$accent-color: #4cceac;
/* some example css classes */
.text-main { color: $main-color; }
.bg-secondary { background-color: $secondary-color; }
.bg-accent { background-color: $accent-color; }
/* define app/website spacings */
$spacing-xs: 10px;
$spacing-sm: 15px;
$spacing-md: 25px;
$spacing-lg: 35px;
/* some example css classes */
.padding-up-xs { padding-top: $spacing-xs; }
.padding-down-lg { padding-bottom: $spacing-lg; }
.margin-left-md { margin-left: $spacing-md; }
The above code has generic css classes, but it is not bound to a specific value. For some very specific styling, you can always make a custom css file to account for that.
I see a lot of people using custom margins and paddings throughout their css. See the code below.
.blog-post-sidebar-right { margin-top: 14px; }
.news-post-bottom-text { margin-bottom: 23px; }
As a rule of thumb, I always use 4/5 predefined margins and paddings. And not some arbitrary number you make up on the fly.
So why not define generic css classes to use them. I took this same idea an applied it to all of my css. Now I can have the same code base in every project.
Because you now use a css preprocessor, it's easy to maintain, flexible and easy to extend.
Im not saying this is the best option, but it does the job for me.

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