Orgins of CSS Nesting
CSS nesting allows developers to write CSS rules within other CSS rules, reflecting the HTML structure and enhancing readability. Historically, this feature was popularized by CSS preprocessors like Sass and Less, which extended CSS's capabilities to include nesting. In 2023, native CSS nesting was introduced, standardizing this feature across modern browsers.
Using the Ampersand (&) as a Nesting Selector
In CSS preprocessors such as Sass, the ampersand (&) serves as a reference to the parent selector, facilitating the creation of complex selectors within nested rules. This approach streamlines the writing of compound selectors and pseudo-classes.
Browser Support
As of March 2025, native CSS nesting is supported across all major browsers, including Chrome (version 120 and above), Safari (version 17.2 and above), and Firefox (version 117 and above). This widespread support allows developers to utilize CSS nesting without relying on preprocessors.
Using CSS Nesting in Projects:
Incorporating CSS nesting into your projects can lead to more organized and maintainable stylesheets. Here are some guidelines:
- Structure Styles Hierarchically: Nest CSS rules to mirror the HTML structure, making it easier to understand the relationship between HTML elements and their styles.
- Utilize the Ampersand for Compound Selectors: Use the ampersand to create complex selectors, such as targeting child elements or pseudo-classes, without redundancy.
- Avoid Over-Nesting: Limit nesting to a reasonable depth to prevent overly specific selectors and maintain readability.
Reference
- "CSS Nesting" prompt. ChatGPT, 4.0, 01 Jan. 1999.
- Can I use. . . Support tables for HTML5, CSS3, etc. (n.d.). https://caniuse.com/