CSS optimization

Before we even consider compression, minification, and file concatenation, we should think about the ways in which we can simplify and optimize our existing style sheet without using third-party tools. Of course, we should have striven for an optimal style sheet to begin with, and in many aspects we did. However, our style sheet still leaves room for improvement. Some of these improvements we have ignored on purpose within Chapters 9, List Groupsand Accordions, as they would have detracted from the chapter's intended purpose. However, as this chapter is concerned with optimizing the client-side code of a web page, the time has come to talk a little about general tips and practices that will help you keep your style sheets small and your rules short. We will address each of these tips and practices in turn.

Inline styles

After reading this chapter, if you only remember one thing, then let it be that inline styles are bad. Period. Avoid using them whenever possible. Why? That...