The Evolution of CSS: From Early Days to Flexbox & Grid with Kevin Powell

Modern Web

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, CSS expert Kevin Powell discusses the evolution of CSS, from the early days of CSS3 to the rapid advancements with Flexbox, Grid, and the latest innovations. Kevin explains how CSS is making strides to integrate features that previously required JavaScript, like scroll-driven animations and popovers, simplifying development and improving performance. He also touches on the importance of understanding the fundamentals of CSS, debugging techniques, and the future of tools like Tailwind and Sass.

Chapters

0:00 - Introduction and Technical Setup Issues

01:05 - Guest Introduction: Kevin Powell

02:00 - Kevin's Journey into CSS and Content Creation

03:21 - Evolution of CSS: From CSS3 to Modern Features

05:46 - The Role of JavaScript in CSS and New Features

08:08 - Popovers, Anchor Positioning, and Progressive Enhancement in CSS

10:26 - Discussion on SAS, Tailwind, and CSS Tools

12:35 - Challenges with Tailwind and Over-Componentization

14:57 - The Importance of Learning Core CSS Principles

16:56 - The "CSS is Hard" Memes and Overcoming CSS Frustration

19:12 - Formatting Contexts and Advanced CSS Concepts

21:31 - Opportunities for Junior Developers to Master CSS

23:54 - Browser Discrepancies and the Future of Web Standards

26:14 - Refactoring CSS for Performance and Best Practices

27:50 - Favorite CSS Resources and Conferences

28:26 - Imposter Syndrome and Kevin's Speaking Journey

29:55 - Closing Remarks and Where to Find Kevin Powell Online

Follow Kevin Powell on Social Media

Twitter: https://x.com/KevinJPowell

Github: https://github.com/kevin-powell

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kevinpowell