CSS: classes after each other

[qwertyuiop]

What does it mean when you have something like this:

.classone .classtwo {background: green;}

What about this:

.classone #idone .classtwo {color: blue;}

[freak]

It's just a simple descendant selector.

.classone .classtwo

Selects any element with a class attribute that contains the word classtwo that is a descendant of any element with a class attribute that contains the word classone.

And,

.classone #idone .classtwo

Selects any element with a class attribute that contains the word classtwo that is a descendant of any element with an id attribute that equals idone that is a descendant of any element with a class attribute that contains the word classone.

// freak

[qwertyuiop]

So, the first example in HTML would be:

...<p class="classone">stuff<b class="classtwo">more stuf</b></p>...

correct? That also means the bold stuff would have a green background. Am I right?

If this is correct, thanks!

Also, isn't: .classone .classtwo {background:green;}

the same as: .classone > .classtwo {background:green;}

[pardicity3]

I will first direct you to a recent thread which will answer your question(s) very well: http://www.codingforum.net/showthrea...threadid=32707

Now then, .classone .classtwo is not the same as .classone > .classtwo. The first will select any element with the class "classtwo" contained anywhere inside of an element with the class "classone". Where as the second selector will only select an element with class "classtwo" that is a direct decendant of an element with class"classone". eg:

<div class="classone">
  <div class="randomdiv">
    <div class="classtwo"></div>
  </div>
</div>

Your first selector (.classone .classtwo) will select the div with class "classtwo", whereas your second selector will not. If your code was changed to:

<div class="classone">
  <div class="classtwo"></div>
</div>

Both selectors would select the div with class "classtwo".

[freak]

Almost, but, not exactly.

.classone .classtwo matches any descendant of .classone with class .classtwo while .classone > .classtwo will match any child of .classone with class .classtwo.

For "english" translations of CSS Selectors check out the SelectORacle.

// freak

[pardicity3]

Aren't the words "direct descendant" and "child" synonymous in the context of CSS?

[qwertyuiop]

ok, i think i understand it now. Thanks all of you!

[mindlessLemming]

Originally posted by qwertyuiop


Also, isn't: .classone .classtwo {background:green;}
the same as: .classone > .classtwo {background:green;}

No, .classone > .classtwo *shouldn't* work. This is because a space is a combinator, as is ">".
You would type it as

.classone>.classtwo

Merely a heads up to avoid bad practices.

*untested