Hasty Treat - Uses for CSS Variables

In this Hasty Treat, Scott and Wes talk about CSS variables, a.k.a CSS Custom Properties - why you might want to use them, why they’re better than various preprocessor’s variables, and pitfalls to watch out for and avoid.

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Show Notes

3:25 - What

• --example-name , represent custom properties

• called using var()

• Overwrite with a more specific style

• Use JavaScript to append .style.setPropert(

• How are they scoped?

  • Just like normal CSS
  • Can be set on :root {}
  • Can be set on any element down

9:10 - Why

• Uses:

  • Can make more sense if used semantically
  • var(–accent) vs var(–yellow)

• Independent values for things that can’t be broken up:

  • box-shadow: 2px 2px 2px 2px red
  • transform: rotate(var(–rotate)) scale(2);

• Inline properties can be picked up by regular CSS (color, size, etc.)

  • hey

• Themes that can easily be changed at runtime for entire app

19:15 - Calculations

• You can use them inside of calc()
• Animations

20:10 - Bummers

• Not super well supported just yet (IE 11)
• No good fallback other than manual fallback
• Syntax - Old Browsers, Fallbacks and Polyfills series
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3
• PostCSS Custom Properties

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