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CSS Get Started

Getting started with CSS begins with understanding how it works alongside HTML. At its core, CSS allows you to style the structure that HTML provides, controlling colors, fonts, spacing, and layouts. The simplest way to begin is to create an HTML file and then add a few style rules directly, or link an external stylesheet. As you progress, you’ll learn to separate your design from structure, making your sites easier to maintain and update.

Key Topics

Basic Setup

Example: Start with a basic HTML file and include an inline style block to see immediate changes. Over time, you’ll move these styles into a dedicated CSS file.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <style>
        body {
            background-color: #f0f0f0;
        }
        h1 {
            color: #333;
        }
    </style>
    <title>My First Styled Page</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Hello, CSS!</h1>
    <p>This is my first attempt at adding some style to a page.</p>
</body>
</html>

Adding Your First Styles

You can start by experimenting: change the background color, adjust the font, or modify the text size. Don’t worry about perfection at first—just get comfortable making changes and seeing the results in your browser.

Tools and Workflow

Use a simple text editor or a code editor like VS Code. As your workflow matures, consider using browser dev tools for quick adjustments, and adopt external stylesheets for cleaner code. Over time, you’ll develop a more efficient and scalable approach to styling.

Key Takeaways

  • CSS works alongside HTML to bring design and presentation to your webpages.
  • Start by adding inline or internal styles, then move to external stylesheets for better organization.
  • Experiment with basic properties and see changes instantly by refreshing your browser.
  • Adopt tools and practices that streamline your development workflow as you progress.
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