I prefer to maintain CSS in a separate file and import it using a plugin for better organization and ease of use.
Over time, this method simplifies maintenance and enhances accessibility for users or future developers working with the plugin, as opposed to searching through a growing JavaScript source code.
To incorporate a stylesheet using jQuery, follow these steps:
$(function() {
$('head').append('<link rel="stylesheet" href="plugin-styles.css" type="text/css" />');
});
Ensure you know the path to the CSS file. Shipping a css directory with your plugin can address any potential issues.
In terms of "ensuring [your] component gets the css it needs," the initial approach is effective if elements have distinct identifiers (class names or IDs) accessible by the JavaScript source.
To prevent multiple loading of the same stylesheet, consider implementing this solution:
$(function() {
var bStylesheetExists = false;
$('link').each(function() {
if($(this).attr('href') === 'plugin-style.css')) {
bStylesheetExists = true;
}
});
if(bStylesheetExists === false) {
$('head').append('<link rel="stylesheet" href="plugin-styles.css" type="text/css" />');
}
});