What does CSS ":hover" selector mean?
With the hover selector, we can select an element that the mouse pointer is currently hovering over. A CSS pseudo-class is an additional term linked to a selector to specify a particular state for the selected element(s).
Selectors in CSS utilize pseudo-classes to apply styles, but this is done selectively based on certain conditions. A CSS pseudo-class is denoted by adding a colon (:) after a selector followed by a specific pseudo-class like active, hover, or focus.
Pseudo-classes enable the customization of elements based on various user interactions such as activating a link (: active), focusing on them with the keyboard (: focus), or hovering over them (: hover).
What functions does CSS's hover selector (:hover) serve?
- To select items and move the mouse cursor over them, use the :hover CSS selector.
- All components can have different effects applied to them using the :hover CSS property, such as changing the font and background colors, opacity, and picture rollover effects. Text can also be decorated and given additional effects.
- With linkages, however, a unique application is possible. The selector aids in styling links pointing to pages that have not been viewed, styles link pointing to pages that have been visited, and styles the active link. For the effects to appear in the code, if selectors are used, they need to be preceded by a hover CSS selector.
Syntax for using CSS :hover
a:hover {
color: anything we want;
background: rgb(195, 200, 205);
}
How do we express the hover condition in CSS for a:before and a:after?
In CSS, you have the option to include content preceding and following an element by employing the :before and :after selectors. The pseudo-class commonly used for interactive elements is :hover, while the pseudo-elements involved are :before and :after. It's essential to note that in CSS, the pseudo-class is positioned before the pseudo-elements.
Syntax
a:hover::before {
// CSS Property
}
a:hover::after {
// CSS Property
}
A pair of colons (::) is employed in CSS3 to signify pseudo-elements, while for Internet Explorer 8 and earlier versions, a single colon is used (CSS2 syntax).
Example 1: In this example, the a:before and a:after in an element are subject to the :hover condition.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>
Example for :hover condition for a:before
and a:after
</title>
<style>
a:hover::before {
content: "Before:-";
}
a:hover::after {
content: ":-after";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<a href="#" >Please put your cursor here to hover </a>
</body>
</html>
Output
Before hovering
After hovering
Example 2: In this example, the a:before and a:after in an element are subject to the :hover condition.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>
Example for:hover condition for a:before
and a:after
</title>
<style>
a:hover::before {
content: "Before-->";
background-color: red;
}
a:hover::after{
content: "-->after";
background-color: pink;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<a href="#" > Welcome </a>
</body>
</html>
Output
Before hovering
After hovering
The CSS Hover Feature
By making use of the CSS:hover property, which offers numerous advantages, you can elevate the visual appeal and user engagement of your website. Below are some key characteristics of CSS hover:
Interactive functionality can be achieved by utilizing the :hover selector to alter the appearance of elements when they are hovered over. This allows for the creation of engaging effects that provide users with visual feedback as they interact with the content. By modifying properties such as transform, opacity, box shadow, background color, and others, you can enhance the interactive experience for the consumer.
Targeting Multiple Elements: The :hover selector provides the ability to target multiple elements within a webpage. This functionality enables the creation of consistent hover effects for various types of elements like buttons, hyperlinks, images, and navigation bars.
Utilizing CSS animations and transitions along with the :hover selector enables the generation of attractive visual effects. By defining transition or animation attributes, you gain control over the alteration of styles triggered when an element is interacted with. These attributes provide options to customize parameters such as duration, timing function, and various other animation properties.
Utilizing Additional Selectors: To implement styles according to specific conditions or emphasize particular elements, the :hover pseudo-class can be combined with various CSS selectors. For instance, you can combine the :hover selector with class selectors, ID selectors, or pseudo-elements to craft distinctive and personalized hover effects.
Supporting Inclusivity: Consider accessibility when implementing hover effects. Individuals using screen readers or assistive technologies dependent on a cursor may not perceive hover effects. Ensure that essential text or functions remain accessible and usable even without hover interactions.
Cross-Browser Compatibility: The hover functionality in CSS enjoys widespread support among modern web browsers. It is compatible with a variety of well-known browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and more, being an integral part of the CSS specification. This ensures consistency in appearance and behavior on numerous platforms.
Conclusion
The hover selector is a valuable asset for enhancing the visual appeal of elements on a webpage.
The necessary effects are triggered when the user hovers the mouse pointer over the designated element.