What is CSS?

CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets. It is a styling language used to control the appearance of web pages. While HTML defines the structure and content of a page, CSS is used to make it visually appealing by controlling elements such as colors, fonts, spacing, and layout. CSS allows developers to design clean, consistent, and professional-looking websites.

Key Features of CSS:

• Styling Control: CSS defines how elements appear on the page, like text size, background color, margins, and more.
• Device Adaptability: With CSS, you can make your website responsive to different screen sizes, ensuring it looks good on desktops, tablets, and mobile phones.
• Flexibility and Reusability: CSS allows for reusable code, enabling you to apply the same styles across multiple web pages with ease.

A Brief History of CSS

CSS was introduced in the mid-1990s to improve the way web pages were designed. Here’s an overview of its development:

1. CSS 1 (1996):
   The first version of CSS was released in 1996 by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). It introduced basic styling features like fonts, text alignment, margins, and colors.

2. CSS 2 (1998):
   This version added more advanced features, such as positioning, z-index, and media types. It improved layout control significantly.

3. CSS 3 (1999):
   CSS 3 introduced modularization, breaking the language into separate modules like selectors, box models, and backgrounds. It also brought new features like animations, transitions, and rounded corners.

4. CSS 2.1 (2004):
   This version was a revision of CSS 2, addressing errors and inconsistencies. It became a stable version widely used for several years.

5. CSS 4 (2007 - Present):
   While CSS 4 is not officially a single version, modern CSS advancements have added powerful features like grid layouts, flexbox, and custom properties (CSS variables).

The Role of CSS Today

• Separation of Style and Content: By keeping style rules in one place, you can work on the design of your site without touching the main text.
• Consistency Across Pages: Using CSS allows you to use the same styles on several pages. This consistency makes sites look neat and professional.
• Ease of Maintenance: When you need to update the design, you work on a single set of style rules, and the changes spread to all related pages.