Unleash the Super Saiyan of CSS with Pseudo-Classes: A Cheat Sheet

Hey, all you web enthusiasts! Get ready to dive into the exciting world of CSS pseudo-classes, which are kinda like Super Saiyan transformations for your HTML elements. Imagine every element on your page is a character ready to unleash its special powers under your command. Let’s explore together how to master these powerful techniques!

So, what’s a Pseudo-Class?

It’s... a CSS tool that changes the appearance of an element based on its state or context. You can spot them by their unique syntax that slaps a ":" after the selector. Because punctuation? We’ve transformed it, mastered it, given it... a whole new dimension!

It’s like every selector is a Konoha ninja, and pseudo-classes are the various Jutsus they can use to adapt to different battle scenarios.

Interactive States: Reacting with Style

1. :hover Like a warrior ready to strike, this state changes the style of an element when the mouse cursor hovers over it. Ideal for signaling to users that an element is interactive.
2. :active This is the moment the warrior strikes. This state is activated when an element is clicked, making the interaction tangible and responsive.
3. :focus Similar to a warrior focusing his energy, it highlights an element that has received focus, often visible in form fields to enhance accessibility and navigation. :focus met en évidence un élément qui a reçu le focus, souvent visible dans les champs de formulaire pour améliorer l’accessibilité et la navigation.

Mastering Form States

• :disabled and :enabled Control the accessibility of your form elements. Use :disabled to dim non-interactive elements, and for those ready to be used. :disabled pour estomper des éléments non interactifs, et :enabled pour ceux prêts à être utilisés.
• :checked and :indeterminate Perfect for checkboxes, :checked applies to elements that are activated, while :indeterminate is useful for situations where an element’s state isn’t completely defined.
• :valid and :invalid Ensure that entered data is correct. Use :valid for correctly filled fields and :invalid to signal errors, helping users correct their inputs.

Target with Precision: Position Selectors

• :first-of-type and :last-of-type Ideal for targeting the first or last element of a type in a container. Use them to specifically style these elements without affecting others.
• :nth-of-type() and :nth-last-of-type() These selectors allow surgical precision in targeting an element at a specific position or counting from the end.

Pseudo-Elements for Finishing Touches: Decorative and Textual

• ::first-letter and ::first-line Highlight the first letter or the first line of a paragraph to capture attention, like the dramatic start of a fight.
• ::selection Customize the appearance of text selected by the user, useful for highlighting selections with style and contrast.
• ::marker Add a stylish touch to the markers in your lists, like the powerful visual effects of a special attack.
• ::before and ::after Insert content before or after your elements, enriching your pages without altering the underlying HTML, a bit like a warrior summoning reinforcements.

The LVHA Order: A Strategy for Your Links

The order in which you declare link pseudo-classes (:link, :visited, :hover, :active) is crucial to ensure that styles apply correctly and avoid overlapping in unexpected ways. It’s like mastering the art of attack sequencing to maximize effectiveness.

With a solid understanding of CSS pseudo-classes, you’re now ready to take control of the interactive states of your website, like a warrior mastering his transformations and techniques. Use these powerful tools to guide users through an interactive and visually captivating web experience. Your HTML elements are now equipped to face any challenge with style and responsiveness. Ready to see them shine in action? The dojo of CSS opens its doors wide for you!

Une doc très bien faite pour terminer: https://css-tricks.com/pseudo-class-selectors/ . Enjoy 🙂