CSS FAQ

What is CSS?

• CSS stands for "Cascading Style Sheets" and is a web technology for defining the layout and look of a web page. With CSS you can alter the design of your web page without modifying HTML or PHP code.

• Moodle Docs on CSS
• Wikipedia on CSS

How can I learn more about CSS?

Online resources:

• The W3Schools CSS Tutorial is a great way to learn about CSS by example.
• A List Apart is a great resource for everything regarding web design, not only CSS.

Books:

• The books by CSS guru Eric Meyer are highly recommended:
  • Eric Meyer on CSS
  • More Eric Meyer on CSS
  • CSS: The Definitive Guide, Third Edition

• Webdesign mit CSS, 2. Auflage by Jens Meiert and Ingo Helmdach. The book is in German, but you can view all designs on the web site and download the complete code. You'll also find English comments about the book in the author's blog.

Where can I find examples for the use of CSS?

• See Zen Garden, also available in different languages.

Where do I find information about the CSS used by Moodle?

• CSS - overview of the use of CSS by Moodle.
• CSS styles_ layout.css contains the layout specifications for various page elements.
• CSS styles_color.css contains the colors used in the page elements.
• CSS styles_fonts.css defines the fonts used in the page elements.

Which tools are useful for working with CSS?

• Firebug Extension for Firefox is the single most useful tool for inspecting the CSS of any web page and modifying it on the fly. See Development:Firebug for further information.

• Web Developer Toolbar for Firefox. See also Category:Firefox extensions.

• Standalone CSS editor TopStyle Lite (you have to scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the free Lite version).

• The new PHP version of NetBeans comes with integrated CSS support. You find a host of documentation, turorials, screen cast, etc. on the web site.

See also:

• Themes FAQ