How to Create Stunning HTML Apps Without CSS? A Game-Changer!


INTRODUCTION
When I started my journey in coding and encountered the term full-stack web development, I was intrigued. Full-stack development encompasses a wide range of technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ReactJS, MongoDB, Express.js, and RESTful APIs. It is indeed extensive. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the webpage is visually appealing and engaging to the user.
So, here's the exciting part of the story! I was initially worried about spending too much time on CSS. I thought if I focused too much on CSS, I wouldn't have enough time for the other languages. It felt like a waste to concentrate only on CSS, and it's totally normal to feel that way when juggling multiple languages. But guess what? Everything has changed now! We don't need to stress about CSS anymore, and we can create stunning, elegant applications without it. Let's dive in and explore Pico CSS. We can build amazing applications without using CSS. Yes!! Let's go!
How should I implement and build the application?
When I started thinking about CSS, I went on a quest to find tools that would let me build apps without drowning in CSS code. And guess what I found? An absolutely amazing library called PICOCSS! I was blown away by how it works! With PICOCSS, we can design any application by simply adding a few classes to our HTML structure. Isn't that incredible?!
Key features that I bring here:
First, let's introduce the PICOCSS CDN.
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@picocss/pico@2/css/pico.min.css">
Just pop this into your HTML head tag, and watch the magic happen!
Later on, I added the
.container
class to some HTML tags to help center the viewport. Check out the snippets below!<body> <main class="container"> ... </main> </body>
Then, as I explored further, I used
<header>
,<main>
, and<footer>
inside the<body>
to act as containers, helping to create a centered or fluid viewport.Next, I used the
.grid
class to make our card responsive. Just add it as a class, and you'll see your card automatically adjust. Check out the snippets to see how easy it is!We often get stuck when we hear the term "Responsive." How do we make something responsive so it looks great on our mobile phones too? Let's see how easy and time-efficient it can be!
Whenever you have some free time, give it a try! You'll be amazed at how adding the Pico CSS CDN can make your life easier and save you time.
Let me show you how our website looksโthis is my personal portfolio. You'll notice there's no CSS yet, but just wait and see the magic happen! ๐๐๐
How is it performing for me?
When I'm working with this amazing library, PICOCSS, it feels like a breeze! Even a kid could create a website with it.
Here are some key benefits it offers:
Saves time.
Gives you more time to learn other frameworks like React JS and databases etc.
Makes it easy to create responsive websites.
give it try! sometimes ๐
What are the tags I use?
As I mentioned, I use tags like header
, footer
, article
, grid
, footer
, and container
. These tags are essential for creating any SPA (Single Page Application).
Walkthrough:
Introduction: Begin by explaining the concept of full-stack development, which includes various technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Emphasize the importance of making web pages visually appealing.
CSS Challenge: Discuss your initial concerns about spending too much time on CSS, which might take away from learning other technologies. This is a common challenge for many developers.
Pico CSS Discovery: Introduce Pico CSS as a tool that simplifies the styling process. It allows you to use minimal classes in HTML to achieve elegant designs, reducing the need to write extensive CSS.
Implementation: Provide a step-by-step guide on how to use Pico CSS. This includes adding the Pico CSS CDN link to your HTML, using layout classes like
.container
, and employing semantic HTML tags for better structure.Benefits: Highlight the advantages of using Pico CSS, such as saving time, allowing you to focus on learning other technologies, and making it easier to create responsive designs.
Tags and Structure: Explain the importance of using semantic tags like
header
,footer
,article
, andgrid
. These tags help in building well-structured and maintainable single-page applications.Encouragement: Conclude by encouraging readers to try Pico CSS themselves. This motivates them to apply what they've learned and see the benefits in their projects.
Key Learnings:
Efficient Styling: Use tools like Pico CSS to save time on styling.
Semantic HTML: Employ semantic tags for better structure and accessibility.
Responsive Design: Ensure designs work well on all devices.
Balanced Learning: Manage time across different technologies effectively.
Experimentation: Be open to trying new tools and techniques.
Adding Pico CSS CDN: Include this link in the
<head>
section of your HTML to apply Pico CSS styles.<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@picocss/pico@2/css/pico.min.css">
Using Container for Layout: Use the
.container
class to center content within the viewport.<body> <main class="container"> <!-- Your content here --> </main> </body>
Semantic HTML Structure: Utilize semantic tags like
<header>
,<main>
, and<footer>
for better structure.<body> <header> <!-- Header content --> </header> <main> <!-- Main content --> </main> <footer> <!-- Footer content --> </footer> </body>
Responsive Grid Layout: Use the
.grid
class to create a responsive grid layout.<div class="grid"> <div>1</div> <div>2</div> <div>3</div> <div>4</div> </div>
Fluid Container: Use
.container-fluid
for a full-width layout.<body> <main class="container-fluid"> <!-- Your content here --> </main> </body>
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Written by

Saurabh Pande
Saurabh Pande
Hi there everyone I am a full-stack Javascript developer. I'm currently learning web development at the ineuron.ai portal through Hitesh Choudhary sir's Full Stack Javascript Web Developer Bootcamp. I have experience working with frontend technologies as well as backend technologies. You can check my portfolio and GitHub for projects that I have worked on.