If you're a web developer or interested in the world of web design, you've probably heard the term "CSS waterfall" before. In this article, we will explore what exactly cascading means in CSS and how it works in the context of web design.
What is waterfall in CSS?
Cascading in CSS refers to the way styles are applied to HTML elements on a web page. When the browser reads a CSS style file, it begins applying the rules defined in that file to page elements in a specific order. This sequence of applying styles is known as a "cascade."
Cascading in CSS follows a set of well-defined rules to determine which styles are applied to a particular element. These rules are based on the specificity of the CSS rules, the nature of the CSS property, and its origin.
How does waterfall work in CSS?
Cascading in CSS follows three main stages to determine which rules apply to an HTML element:
1. Specificity phase
In this phase, the specifics of the CSS rules are compared to decide which one has more weight. Specificity is based on the number and type of selectors used in a CSS rule. For example, a rule with a class selector has more weight than a rule with a label selector.
2. Origin phase
In this phase, the origin of the CSS rules is considered. Rules can come from different sources, such as external files, tags