normalizer.scss : The Normalize ( CSS ) Library for Sass

[stef-rausch]

Hi @necolas,

I just have released normalizer.scss v3.0.0, which might let you rethink your standpoint about not using Sass as an additional way of distribution. Nothing fancy, sticks to your original file, but is highly flexible — hint : it only uses placeholder selectors and no mixins etc.

Thanks a lot for normalize.css!

[marcop135]

+1

[nhall]

I apologize if the answer is obvious but what's the main benefit of only using placeholder selectors? Wouldn't you need to then explicitly extend each element? I've read reasoning as to why you should only extend silent selectors but I think I'm missing how that applies to HTML elements. Thank you.

[stef-rausch]

Hi @nhall, the main benefit of using placeholder selectors — alternative read : silent selectors — is that the resulting ( preprocessed ) CSS output file does not contain unused selectors and hence there is less to load for the browser. Have a look at import-only-test.css in normalizer.scss' tests folder and you will see that it is blank — with the exception of the EON tag.

You are correct that you will have to explicitly extend each element / selector to be normalised. However, this is a conscious choice of yours, which will allow for a faster web page delivery, especially mobile-wise. Should you ( always ) want to import all normalisations defined by @necolas and his team in its entirety, then normalize.css must / should be your first choice.

Interestingly, placeholder selectors are not restricted to user defined classes only.

[nvartolomei]

How much the saving would be for an average project? 20bytes?

[stef-rausch]

It depends @nvartolomei. How do you define an average web project and which elements / selectors does it typically include, i.e. how ( complex ) is the structure?

For me however, the following questions are ( even more ) important : who is the audience and what type of internet connection is available?

[fspoettel]

Normalize.css weights in on 2kb minfied and 1kb gzipped, I don't think any performance / internet connection arguments really apply here, there are a million things that will have bigger impact on loading times (e.g. minify & concat stuff)

[stef-rausch]

Hi @felics, I'm fully with you regarding the fact that the reduction of the imported normalising rules is only a ( very ) small aspect looking at the big picture optimisation-wise.

Less is more and the effort — if you use Sass — is minimal, in comparison to other solutions. At the end of the day it's a matter of coding preferences.

[nhall]

Thanks, @StefanoRausch. It's an interesting idea. I'm pretty new to Sass and it hadn't occurred to me that you could potentially use a placeholder selector on an HTML element.

[stef-rausch]

You're welcome @nhall.

[necolas]

Hi. This doesn't change my position on Sass and LESS stuff.