CSS Ruleset

Subject: css

CSS Ruleset

A CSS ruleset is the fundamental unit of styling in CSS. It defines how a specific HTML element or group of elements should be styled by using a selector and a declaration block. Every time you want to apply a style, you create a ruleset.


Structure of a CSS Ruleset

Parts of a CSS Ruleset:

  • Selector: Specifies which HTML elements the rule applies to.
  • Declaration Block: Enclosed in {}, contains one or more style declarations.
  • Declaration: A combination of a property and a value, ending with a semicolon.
  • Property: The aspect of the element you want to style (e.g., color, font-size).
  • Value: The setting you apply to the property (e.g., red, 16px).

Example: Basic CSS Ruleset

Explanation:

  • h2 and p are the selectors.
  • Each selector has a declaration block wrapped in curly braces {}.
  • Inside each block are individual declarations like color: teal; and font-size: 24px;.
  • Each declaration ends with a semicolon.

Ruleset Best Practices

  • Always end each declaration with a semicolon (;).
  • Use consistent indentation and spacing for better readability.
  • Group related properties together (e.g., font styles, spacing).
  • Avoid repeating selectors unnecessarily—use grouping if styles are similar.

Key Takeaways

  • A CSS ruleset is a combination of a selector and one or more style declarations.
  • It determines how selected HTML elements will appear.
  • Each declaration is a pair of property and value separated by a colon (:).
  • Declaration blocks are enclosed in curly braces {}.
  • Ending each declaration with a semicolon avoids syntax errors and improves clarity.