Pros and Cons of Using CSS Variables

Pros of Using CSS Variables

1. Consistency: CSS variables ensure design consistency by allowing you to define properties like colors and sizes in one place and reuse them throughout your stylesheet. This simplifies global updates and maintains a cohesive design.
2. Flexibility: CSS variables enable easy experimentation with design variations. Adjusting variable values lets you quickly see changes in the overall look and feel of your site without manually updating individual CSS rules.
3. Maintainability: Centralizing style definitions with CSS variables simplifies codebase maintenance. Global style changes can be made by updating the variable value instead of finding and editing each instance of a style.
4. Readability: Using meaningful variable names enhances CSS readability. Instead of hardcoded values, variable names provide context and clarify the purpose of each style.

Cons of Using CSS Variables

1. Browser Support: While widely supported in modern browsers, older browsers may not fully support CSS variables. For older browser compatibility, you may need to provide fallback values or avoid CSS variables.
2. Performance: Excessive or complex use of CSS variables can impact performance. While generally minimal, it’s a consideration when optimizing your site.
3. Scope Issues: CSS variables are scoped to the element they are defined on or inherited from. This can cause unexpected behavior in complex or nested layouts if not carefully managed.
4. Overuse: Overusing CSS variables can lead to bloated and hard-to-manage stylesheets. It’s crucial to use them judiciously, where they offer the most benefit.

Code Examples:

:root {
–secondary: #00958D;
–primary: #723982;
–topBar: #303f9f;
–invert: #fff;
}

.et_pb_video_play {
color: var(–secondary);
}

.header-colors h2 {
color: var(–primary);
}

.header-colors h3 {
color: var(–primary);
}

.header-colors h4 {
color: var(–primary);
}

.header-colors h6 {
color: var(–secondary);
}

.header-colors.inverted h1,
.header-colors.inverted h2,
.header-colors.inverted h3,
.header-colors.inverted h4,
.header-colors.inverted h5,
.header-colors.inverted h6 {
color: var(–invert);
}

.footer-text,
.footer-text a {
color: var(–invert);
}

.button-color.inverted:hover {
background-color: var(–invert) !important;
color: var(–primary);
border: none;
}

.icon-color span.et-pb-icon {
color: var(–secondary);
}

.time-date p {
color: var(–primary);
}

.button-color.inverted {
border: solid 2px var(–invert);
color: var(–invert);
}

.button-color {
background-color: var(–secondary);
}

.button-color:hover {
background-color: var(–secondary) !important;
color: var(–secondary);
border: none;
}

.top-bar {
background-color: var(–primary);
}

.bottom-bar {
background-color: var(–primary);
}