Which is quicker: a higher number of classes or a distinct class?

Question

Which is quicker: a higher number of classes or a distinct class?

There are two ways to style elements, but I personally prefer the first method because it allows for code reusability. Some people may have their own preference, but I am curious to know which method performs better when loading large stylized pages.

1)

<style>
  .red{ color:red}
  .right25{ margin-right: 25px}
  .bold{ font-weight:bold}
</style>

<p class="red right25 bold">This text is styled with red color, bold font weight, and a 25px right margin.</p>

2)

<style>
  .class1{ color:red; margin-right: 25px; font-weight:bold}
</style>

<p class="class1">This text is styled with red color, bold font weight, and a 25px right margin.</p>

css

Answer 1

Answer №1

The impact on performance will largely depend on how much of the code can be reused, but typically there won't be a significant difference.

One major distinction between these methods is the significance of the classes. It's generally recommended to use classes that reflect the purpose you are trying to achieve rather than focusing solely on specific styles. Names that communicate the intent rather than the implementation tend to be more flexible when modifications are needed.

For instance, if you have a class called right25 and decide to change the margins to 20 pixels instead, you would either end up with a misleading class name or have to go through all instances where it's used to change it to right20.

Answer 2

The impact on performance will largely depend on how much of the code can be reused, but typically there won't be a significant difference.

One major distinction between these methods is the significance of the classes. It's generally recommended to use classes that reflect the purpose you are trying to achieve rather than focusing solely on specific styles. Names that communicate the intent rather than the implementation tend to be more flexible when modifications are needed.

For instance, if you have a class called right25 and decide to change the margins to 20 pixels instead, you would either end up with a misleading class name or have to go through all instances where it's used to change it to right20.

Answer 3

Answer №2

Your solution is number two. Remember, the browser reads classes from right to left, making it quicker to read one class compared to two.

Discover more about efficient CSS selectors here.

Learn about rendering CSS efficiently here.

Opt for an external style sheet to help the browser cache content for faster loading times.

Check out this guide on how to utilize CSS effectively.

Answer 4

Your solution is number two. Remember, the browser reads classes from right to left, making it quicker to read one class compared to two.

Discover more about efficient CSS selectors here.

Learn about rendering CSS efficiently here.

Opt for an external style sheet to help the browser cache content for faster loading times.

Check out this guide on how to utilize CSS effectively.

Answer 5

Answer №3

Are you referring to the first method which may be slower compared to the second method?

To clarify: There is no noticeable difference in speed when styling with CSS.

For example:

div{
  color: blue;
  padding: 10px;
}
div{
  color: red;
  font-size: 16px;
  padding-left: 5px;
}

When applying CSS rules, the browser will implement the following styles:

div{
  color: red;/*later one*/
  font-size: 16px;
  padding: 10px 10px 10px 5px;/*padding-left 5px is taken from later rule*/
}

This processing occurs simultaneously as the div is styled by the stylesheet.

Why is there no difference?

In most programming languages like JavaScript, if one line contains an error, the interpreter stops execution. However, in CSS, even if there are errors in your code or classes/id don't exist, the browser will load and parse the entire stylesheet file without affecting the rendering speed.

_{Although in extremely slow internet connections below 32kbps, the stylesheet being loaded line by line could potentially result in imperceptible delays.}

Answer 6

Are you referring to the first method which may be slower compared to the second method?

To clarify: There is no noticeable difference in speed when styling with CSS.

For example:

div{
  color: blue;
  padding: 10px;
}
div{
  color: red;
  font-size: 16px;
  padding-left: 5px;
}

When applying CSS rules, the browser will implement the following styles:

div{
  color: red;/*later one*/
  font-size: 16px;
  padding: 10px 10px 10px 5px;/*padding-left 5px is taken from later rule*/
}

This processing occurs simultaneously as the div is styled by the stylesheet.

Why is there no difference?

In most programming languages like JavaScript, if one line contains an error, the interpreter stops execution. However, in CSS, even if there are errors in your code or classes/id don't exist, the browser will load and parse the entire stylesheet file without affecting the rendering speed.

_{Although in extremely slow internet connections below 32kbps, the stylesheet being loaded line by line could potentially result in imperceptible delays.}

Which is quicker: a higher number of classes or a distinct class?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

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