How to Write Clean, Maintainable CSS with BEM or SMACSS

In the ever-evolving landscape of web development, writing clean and maintainable CSS is crucial for creating robust and scalable websites. As Doterb, a web development and IT solutions company, we understand the importance of well-structured code. In this article, we’ll explore two popular methodologies, BEM (Block, Element, Modifier) and SMACSS (Scalable and Modular Architecture for CSS), to help you achieve just that. “A website is not just a display it’s your company’s digital trust representation,” so ensuring it’s built on a solid foundation of clean code is paramount.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• BEM (Block, Element, Modifier)
  • Benefits of BEM
  • BEM Example
• SMACSS (Scalable and Modular Architecture for CSS)
  • SMACSS Categories
  • Benefits of SMACSS
  • SMACSS Example
• BEM vs. SMACSS: Which One to Choose?
• Best Practices for Clean CSS
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Introduction

Writing CSS can quickly become overwhelming, especially in large projects. Without a clear structure and methodology, your stylesheets can become difficult to understand, maintain, and scale. BEM and SMACSS offer proven approaches to organize your CSS, making it more manageable and less prone to conflicts.

BEM (Block, Element, Modifier)

BEM stands for Block, Element, Modifier. It’s a naming convention that helps you structure your CSS classes in a predictable and hierarchical way.

Benefits of BEM

• Improved Readability: BEM class names clearly indicate the role and relationships between different parts of your UI.
• Increased Reusability: Blocks are independent and can be reused across different parts of your website.
• Reduced Specificity Conflicts: BEM avoids deeply nested selectors, reducing the risk of specificity issues.
• Easy to Maintain: The modular nature of BEM makes it easier to modify and update styles without affecting other parts of the codebase.

BEM Example

Consider a simple button:

• Block: `button` (the independent, reusable component)
• Element: `button__text` (a part of the button, like the text inside)
• Modifier: `button–primary` (a variation of the button, like a primary style)

The corresponding HTML might look like this:

<button class="button button--primary">
    <span class="button__text">Click Me!</span>
  </button>

SMACSS (Scalable and Modular Architecture for CSS)

SMACSS, pronounced “smacks,” is a style guide that breaks down CSS rules into five categories to improve organization and maintainability.

SMACSS Categories

• Base: Applies basic styling to HTML elements (e.g., `body`, `p`, `h1`). Normalize.css often used here.
• Layout: Defines the structure of the page (e.g., header, footer, sidebar).
• Module: Self-contained, reusable components (similar to BEM’s Blocks).
• State: Describes the state of a module (e.g., `.is-active`, `.is-disabled`).
• Theme: Optional styles that change the look and feel of the website.

Benefits of SMACSS

• Improved Organization: SMACSS provides a clear structure for your CSS files, making it easier to find and modify styles.
• Increased Scalability: The modular approach of SMACSS allows you to easily add new features and components to your website without affecting existing styles.
• Reduced Specificity: SMACSS encourages the use of single-class selectors, minimizing the risk of specificity conflicts.
• Enhanced Collaboration: A well-defined SMACSS structure makes it easier for multiple developers to work on the same codebase.

SMACSS Example

Imagine a simple navigation menu:

• Base: Base styles for `ul` and `li` elements.
• Layout: Styles for the overall navigation container (e.g., `l-header`).
• Module: Styles for the navigation links (e.g., `nav`).
• State: Styles for active navigation links (e.g., `nav–active`).

The folder structure could look like this:

css/
  |-- base.css
  |-- layout.css
  |-- modules/
  |   |-- nav.css
  |-- states.css
  |-- theme.css

BEM vs. SMACSS: Which One to Choose?

Both BEM and SMACSS offer valuable approaches to writing clean and maintainable CSS. BEM focuses primarily on naming conventions, while SMACSS provides a broader architectural framework. You can even combine elements of both methodologies. For example, you might use BEM naming conventions within SMACSS modules. The best approach depends on the specific needs of your project and your team’s preferences.

Best Practices for Clean CSS

• Write Modular CSS: Break your styles into small, reusable components.
• Use Meaningful Class Names: Choose class names that clearly describe the purpose of the element.
• Avoid !important: Overusing `!important` can lead to specificity conflicts and make your CSS difficult to debug.
• Use CSS Preprocessors: Tools like Sass and Less can help you write more organized and maintainable CSS with features like variables, nesting, and mixins.
• Comment Your Code: Explain the purpose of your styles, especially for complex or unusual implementations.
• Keep it DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself): Extract common styles into variables or mixins to avoid duplication.
• Lint your CSS: Use linters like Stylelint to automatically catch errors and enforce coding standards.

FAQ

• Q: Is it necessary to use BEM or SMACSS?

  A: No, but using a CSS methodology significantly improves code maintainability, scalability, and collaboration, especially on larger projects.

• Q: Can I use BEM and SMACSS together?

  A: Absolutely! Many developers combine aspects of both, using BEM’s naming conventions within SMACSS modules for a highly organized approach.

• Q: What’s the best way to learn BEM or SMACSS?

  A: Start with simple examples and gradually apply the principles to your projects. Practice and experimentation are key to mastering these methodologies. Also, many online resources and tutorials are available.

Conclusion

Writing clean and maintainable CSS is essential for building successful websites and applications. By adopting methodologies like BEM or SMACSS, you can improve the organization, scalability, and maintainability of your codebase, leading to a more efficient development process and a better user experience. Remember, the choice between BEM and SMACSS, or a combination of both, depends on your project’s specific requirements and your team’s preferences.

If your business needs an efficient website or digital system, contact the Doterb team today. We specialize in crafting high-quality web solutions and providing expert guidance on best practices for code organization and digital transformation.