Two Syntaxes Available in Sass

Sass (Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets) offers two syntaxes for writing styles: the indented syntax (often referred to as "Sass") and the SCSS syntax. Both syntaxes provide the same functionality, but they differ in their syntax and structure. Below, we will explore both syntaxes in detail.

1. Indented Syntax (Sass)

The indented syntax uses indentation to define nesting and does not require curly braces or semicolons. This makes the code cleaner and more readable, but it may take some getting used to for those familiar with traditional CSS.

Example of Indented Syntax

$primary-color: #3498db

body
    font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif
    background-color: $primary-color

nav
    ul
        list-style: none

    li
        display: inline-block
        margin-right: 20px

    a
        text-decoration: none
        color: white
    

2. SCSS Syntax

SCSS (Sassy CSS) is a more CSS-like syntax that uses curly braces and semicolons, making it easier for developers who are already familiar with CSS to adopt. SCSS is the most commonly used syntax in Sass projects.

Example of SCSS Syntax

$primary-color: #3498db;

body {
    font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;
    background-color: $primary-color;
}

nav {
    ul {
        list-style: none;
    }

    li {
        display: inline-block;
        margin-right: 20px;
    }

    a {
        text-decoration: none;
        color: white;
    }
}
    

Comparison of Both Syntaxes

• Indentation: The indented syntax relies on indentation for nesting, while SCSS uses curly braces and semicolons.
• Readability: The indented syntax can be cleaner and more readable, but SCSS may be more familiar to those with a CSS background.
• Functionality: Both syntaxes support all Sass features, including variables, mixins, and nesting.

Conclusion

Both the indented syntax and SCSS syntax in Sass offer powerful features for writing stylesheets. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference and familiarity. Regardless of the syntax you choose, Sass enhances the capabilities of CSS and improves the development process.