CSS :optional
A decade ago HTML and CSS added the ability to, at least signal, validation of form fields. The required
attribute helped inform users which fields were required, while pattern
allowed developers to provide a regular expression to match against an <input>
's value. Targeting required fields and validation values with just CSS and HTML was very useful.
Did you know that CSS provides :optional
to allow you to style form elements that aren't required?
input:optional, select:optional, textarea:optional {
border: 1px solid #eee;
}
[required] {
border: 1px solid red;
}
In a sense, it feels like :optional
represents :not([required])
, but :optional
is limited to just form fields.
![Create a CSS Cube]()
CSS cubes really showcase what CSS has become over the years, evolving from simple color and dimension directives to a language capable of creating deep, creative visuals. Add animation and you've got something really neat. Unfortunately each CSS cube tutorial I've read is a bit...
![An Interview with Eric Meyer]()
Your early CSS books were instrumental in pushing my love for front end technologies. What was it about CSS that you fell in love with and drove you to write about it?
At first blush, it was the simplicity of it as compared to the table-and-spacer...
![Using MooTools 1.2 For Drag, Drop, Sort, Save]()
![Degradable SELECT onChange]()
Whenever I go to Google Analytics I notice a slight flicker in the dropdown list area. I see a button appear for the shortest amount of time and the poof! Gone. What that tells me is that Google is making their site function...
It’s probably more like
:not(:required)
, right?