An Introduction to Selectors in CSS

What are CSS Selectors?

CSS selectors are the part of CSS that allow you to target specific elements on a web page. They can be used to style, animate, or manipulate certain parts of your web page. With the help of selectors, you can easily access any element and apply various styles to it.

Types of CSS Selectors

There are several types of CSS selectors including class selectors, ID selectors, attribute selectors, pseudo-class selectors, and universal selectors. Each type has its own unique purpose and can be helpful for selecting specific elements on the web page.

Class Selectors

Class selectors are used to select elements with a particular class attribute. These selectors can be used to apply styles to multiple elements at once. For example, the class selector .box can be used to apply a style to all elements with the class “box”.

ID Selectors

ID selectors are similar to class selectors, but they are used to select elements with a unique id attribute. ID selectors can be used to apply styles to a single element on the web page. For example, the ID selector #container can be used to apply a style to the element with the id “container”.

Attribute Selectors

Attribute selectors are used to select elements based on any attribute they contain. This can be helpful for styling elements with specific attributes, such as a data-attribute or custom class. For example, the attribute selector [data-name="example"] can be used to apply a style to all elements with the data-name attribute set to “example”.

Pseudo-class Selectors

Pseudo-class selectors are used to select elements based on their current state or position in the document. These selectors can be used for styling elements based on user interaction, such as hover states or active links. For example, the pseudo-class selector :hover can be used to apply a style when a user hovers over an element.

Universal Selectors

Universal selectors are used to select all elements on the page. This can be useful for applying global styles or setting a common base style across all elements. The universal selector * can be used to select every element on the page.

Conclusion

CSS selectors are powerful tools that can be used to target and style specific elements on a web page. There are many different types of selectors that can be used for different purposes. Knowing how to use these selectors will make it easier to create beautiful, functional websites.