CSS frameworks

A CSS framework, also known as a web design framework is a pre-prepared library that is meant to allow for easier, more standards-compliant styling of a webpage using the Cascading Style Sheets language. Just like programming and scripting language libraries, CSS frameworks (usually packaged as external .css sheets inserted into the header) package a number of ready-made options for designing and outlaying a webpage.

Advantages

• Tableless web design.
• Faster development.
• Cross-browser compatibility.
• Facilitate code generators and visual editors.

Criticism

• Lack of flexibility outside the limitations of the framework
• Bloated source code
• Additional HTTP requests for multiple files
• Lack of substantial additional features beyond what is already available with CSS

See also

• Tableless web design

CSS Frameworks

• Blueprint (CSS framework)
• YUI Grids (CSS framework)
• YAML (CSS framework)
• Elastic (CSS framework)
• 960 Grid System
• Emastic
• snowdust (CSS framework)
• CSScaffold (CSS framework for PHP)
• compass (CSS framework based on Sass)
• Baseline (HTML5 ready CSS framework)
• The Golden Grid (CSS framework)
• floatz (CSS framework)
• ez-css (lightweight CSS framework)

External links

• Frameworks for Designers by A List Apart
• Definitive List of CSS Frameworks - Pick Your Style
• Introduction to 960 Grid System