Traditionally, CSS has been used as a standalone language for styling web pages. However, with the rise of JavaScript’s popularity, developers began to seek ways to combine the two languages. This is where CSS-in-JS libraries like Styled Components and Emotion come into play. By compiling CSS styles directly into JavaScript code, these libraries enable developers to write reusable and maintainable CSS code within their React components.
One of the primary benefits of using CSS-in-JS libraries like Styled Components and Emotion is the ability to manage your component’s styling in a more centralized and organized manner. In traditional CSS approaches, you would typically have separate files for each component’s styles, which can lead to duplication and inconsistencies. With CSS-in-JS libraries, you can define your styles within your React components themselves, making it easier to manage and maintain your application’s visual design.
Another advantage of using these libraries is the ability to leverage JavaScript’s powerful features to manipulate your styles. For example, with Styled Components, you can use JavaScript expressions to dynamically generate styles based on props or state changes. This level of flexibility allows developers to create more responsive and dynamic user interfaces that adapt to changing conditions.
In addition to their styling capabilities, CSS-in-JS libraries like Emotion also offer a range of other benefits. For instance, they provide support for server-side rendering (SSR), which enables your application’s UI to be generated on the server before being sent to the client. This approach can significantly improve the performance and SEO of your application.
Editorial by –
Omkar Kakeru
Founder of Playtech, Belagavi, Karnataka