How Tailwind CSS Changed the Way I Build Websites ?

             

Understanding Library and Framework 

Before we dive into whether to choose Tailwind CSS or regular CSS, let’s first understand the difference between a library and a framework.

• Framework: A framework is like a strict rulebook defining every step. You have to follow its structure and guidelines. For example, frameworks like React, Django, and Tailwind CSS provide a set structure for you to follow while building projects.

• Library: A library is like a toolbox. You pick and choose the tools (functions, classes, etc.) you need for your project. Some popular examples of libraries include NumPy and jQuery.

In simpler terms, a framework controls the flow of your application, while a library gives you the tools to build your project.

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Basic Understanding of CSS

CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets, and it’s a stylesheet language used to design and style websites. While HTML handles the structure and content, CSS ensures your website looks good and is user-friendly.

For example, imagine you build a website with HTML, and you integrate backend logic and APIs, but if there’s no design, the site would look very basic and unattractive. This is where CSS steps in to provide styling, making the website visually appealing.

I assume you already have a basic understanding of HTML and CSS, so we won't dive too deep here.

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What is Tailwind CSS?

Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework. It provides pre-designed utility classes that help you style your website without writing custom CSS for every element. Some say it’s "utility-first" because you work with simple classes that handle one specific style, like adding padding or changing colors.

For example, in regular CSS, you would write custom styles like this:

css
.button {
  padding: 10px;
  background-color: blue;
}

In Tailwind CSS, you just use classes like this:

<button class="px-4 py-2 bg-blue-500">Click Me</button>

Tailwind’s approach is mobile-first, meaning the design is optimized for small screens first (like mobile phones) and can scale up for larger screens. This uses built-in responsive design utilities, such as sm:, md:, and lg:, to apply different styles depending on the screen size.

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Why Tailwind CSS?

In my opinion, Tailwind CSS is an incredibly valuable skill to have today. It allows you to create websites faster than writing custom CSS from scratch. Since the classes are pre-defined, you just need to use them — no need to reinvent the wheel. It’s simple, efficient, and versatile, making it a great choice for modern web development.

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Conclusion

Tailwind CSS has become one of the most popular tools for web developers because it speeds up development and reduces the need for writing repetitive CSS. Whether you're building a simple project or something more complex, Tailwind can save time and effort. I strongly recommend learning it!