Mastering CSS3: Borders, Backgrounds, jQuery, and AJAX Explained with Examples

 





Feature

jQuery

AJAX

What is it?

A JavaScript library.

A technique to get/send data from a server.

Purpose

Makes JavaScript coding easier.

Updates web pages without reloading.

Usage

Used for animations, event handling, and AJAX.

Used to fetch/send data asynchronously.

Works With

JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and AJAX.

JavaScript, jQuery, Fetch API.

Asynchronous?

Supports AJAX but is not only for it.

Always used for asynchronous data exchange.




What is a jQuery Plugin?

A jQuery plugin is a small add-on that extends the features of jQuery. It allows developers to add special functions to a website without writing a lot of code from scratch.

Why Use jQuery Plugins?

  • Saves time – No need to write everything from the beginning.
  • Easy to use – Works with just a few lines of code.
  • Reduces errors – Prebuilt solutions ensure fewer mistakes.
  • Works on all browsers – No need to worry about compatibility.

How to Use a jQuery Plugin

Step 1: Add jQuery to Your Webpage

Before using a plugin, include the jQuery library in your HTML file:

 <head>

    <script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script>

</head>

Step 2: Include the Plugin File

Every plugin has a JavaScript file. You need to add it to your project:

 

<head>

    <script src="path-to-plugin.js"></script>

</head>

Step 3: Activate the Plugin

Once the plugin is added, you can enable it using jQuery:

<script>

    $(document).ready(function() {

        $("#example").pluginName();

    });

</script>


Popular jQuery Plugins with Examples

1. Slick Slider (Image Carousel Plugin)

  • What it does: Adds a slideshow for images.
  • How to use it:

 

<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/slick-carousel/slick/slick.css"/>

<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/slick-carousel/slick/slick.min.js"></script>

 

<div class="slider">

    <div><img src="image1.jpg" alt="Image 1"></div>

    <div><img src="image2.jpg" alt="Image 2"></div>

</div>

 

<script>

    $(document).ready(function(){

        $('.slider').slick();

    });

</script>

2. Lightbox (Image Popup Viewer)

  • What it does: Opens images in a pop-up window.
  • How to use it:

html

CopyEdit

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/lightbox2/2.11.3/css/lightbox.min.css">

<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/lightbox2/2.11.3/js/lightbox.min.js"></script>

 

<a href="image.jpg" data-lightbox="gallery"><img src="thumbnail.jpg"></a>

3. DataTables (Table Sorting and Filtering Plugin)

  • What it does: Makes HTML tables interactive by adding sorting and search features.
  • How to use it:

html

CopyEdit

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.11.5/css/jquery.dataTables.min.css">

<script src="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.11.5/js/jquery.dataTables.min.js"></script>

 

<table id="example">

    <thead>

        <tr><th>Name</th><th>Age</th><th>Country</th></tr>

    </thead>

    <tbody>

        <tr><td>John</td><td>25</td><td>USA</td></tr>

        <tr><td>Jane</td><td>30</td><td>UK</td></tr>

    </tbody>

</table>

 

<script>

    $(document).ready(function() {

        $('#example').DataTable();

    });

</script>

4. jQuery Validation (Form Validation Plugin)

  • What it does: Checks form inputs before they are submitted.
  • How to use it:

html

CopyEdit

<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery-validate/1.19.5/jquery.validate.min.js"></script>

 

<form id="myForm">

    <input type="text" name="username" required>

    <input type="submit" value="Submit">

</form>

 

<script>

    $(document).ready(function() {

        $('#myForm').validate();

    });

</script>


How to Create Your Own jQuery Plugin

You can also build your own jQuery plugin. Here is a simple example that changes the text color of an element:

js

CopyEdit

(function($) {

    $.fn.changeColor = function(color) {

        this.css("color", color);

        return this;

    };

}(jQuery));

How to use it:

 

$(document).ready(function(){

    $("h1").changeColor("blue");

});

 

CSS3 vs CSS

 

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to style web pages. CSS3 is the latest version that introduces new features and enhancements.

 

Key Differences:

1.    Enhanced Styling – CSS3 introduces advanced styling options like gradients, shadows, and text effects.

2.    Animations & Transitions – CSS3 allows smooth animations and transitions without JavaScript.

3.    Flexbox & Grid – CSS3 provides better layout control using Flexbox and Grid systems.

4.    Responsive Design – Media queries in CSS3 help create mobile-friendly designs.

5.    Improved Performance – CSS3 reduces dependency on images and scripts, making pages load faster.

 

Difference Between CSS and CSS3

Feature

CSS (Older Versions)

CSS3 (Latest Version)

Version

Basic styling and layout

Advanced styling with new features

Animations

Not supported

Supports animations and transitions

Layouts

Uses float and positioning

Introduces Flexbox and Grid for better layouts

Borders & Effects

Simple borders and no effects

Rounded borders, shadows, and text effects

Media Queries

Not available

Allows responsive design for different screen sizes

Performance

Requires more images and scripts

Reduces dependency on images, improving speed

 




 

Adding Borders and Backgrounds in CSS3

Adding Borders and Backgrounds in CSS3

In this guide, we'll explore all methods of adding borders and backgrounds in CSS3 with detailed explanations and simple examples.


1. CSS3 Borders

Borders help to define the outer boundary of an element. They can have different styles, thicknesses, and colors.


Method 1: Basic Border

Code:

Css

.box1 {

    border: 3px solid blue;

}

Explanation:

  • border: 3px solid blue; → Adds a solid blue border with a thickness of 3px around the element.

Example:

html

 

<div class="box1">This is a bordered box</div>


Method 2: Border for Each Side

Code:

css

 

.box2 {

    border-top: 5px solid red;

    border-right: 3px dashed blue;

    border-bottom: 2px dotted green;

    border-left: 4px double black;

}

Explanation:

  • border-top: 5px solid red; → Red solid border on the top (5px thick).
  • border-right: 3px dashed blue; → Blue dashed border on the right (3px thick).
  • border-bottom: 2px dotted green; → Green dotted border on the bottom (2px thick).
  • border-left: 4px double black; → Black double border on the left (4px thick).

Example:

 

<div class="box2">Different borders on each side</div>


Method 3: Rounded Borders (border-radius)

Code:

 

.box3 {

    border: 2px solid black;

    border-radius: 15px;

}

Explanation:

  • border-radius: 15px; → Rounds the corners of the element.

Circular Shape:

 

.circle {

    width: 100px;

    height: 100px;

    border-radius: 50%;

    border: 3px solid purple;

}

  • border-radius: 50%; → Makes the element circular.

Example:

<div class="box3">Rounded Corners</div>

<div class="circle"></div>

 

Method 4: Border with Shadow (box-shadow)

Code:

.box4 {

    border: 2px solid gray;

    box-shadow: 5px 5px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);

}

Explanation:

  • box-shadow: 5px 5px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
    • 5px 5px → Adds shadow to the right and bottom.
    • 10px → Blur effect.
    • rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); → Black shadow with 50% transparency.

Example:

 

<div class="box4">Box with Shadow</div>


Method 5: Border Image (border-image)

Code:

 

.box5 {

    border: 10px solid;

    border-image: url('border.png') 30 stretch;

}

Explanation:

  • border-image: url('border.png') 30 stretch; → Uses an image as a border.

Example:

<div class="box5">Border with an Image</div>



2. CSS3 Backgrounds

CSS backgrounds improve the look of elements with colors, images, gradients, and multiple layers.


Method 1: Background Color

Code:

 

.box-bg1 {

    background-color: lightblue;

}

Explanation:

  • background-color: lightblue; → Sets the background color to light blue.

Example:

 

<div class="box-bg1">Background Color Example</div>


Method 2: Background Image

Code:

.box-bg2 {

    background-image: url('background.jpg');

    background-size: cover;

    background-repeat: no-repeat;

    background-position: center;

}

Explanation:

  • background-image: url('background.jpg'); → Sets an image as a background.
  • background-size: cover; → Ensures the image covers the full area.
  • background-repeat: no-repeat; → Prevents repeating the image.
  • background-position: center; → Centers the background image.

Example:

 

<div class="box-bg2">Background Image Example</div>


Method 3: Background Gradient

Linear Gradient:

 

.box-bg3 {

    background: linear-gradient(to bottom, red, yellow);

}

Radial Gradient:

 

.box-bg4 {

    background: radial-gradient(circle, red, yellow, green);

}

Explanation:

  • linear-gradient(to bottom, red, yellow); → Creates a smooth transition from red to yellow.
  • radial-gradient(circle, red, yellow, green); → Creates a circular gradient from red to green.

Example:

 

<div class="box-bg3">Linear Gradient</div>

<div class="box-bg4">Radial Gradient</div>


Method 4: Multiple Background Images

Code:

 

.box-bg5 {

    background: url('image1.png'), url('image2.png');

    background-size: contain, cover;

    background-position: top left, center;

    background-repeat: no-repeat;

}

Explanation:

  • Uses two images as backgrounds.
  • background-size: contain, cover; → Sets different sizes for each image.

Example:

 

<div class="box-bg5">Multiple Backgrounds</div>


Method 5: Background Clipping (background-clip)

Code:

 

.box-bg6 {

    background: url('pattern.jpg');

    background-clip: content-box;

}

Explanation:

  • background-clip: content-box; → Shows the background only inside content.

Example:

html

CopyEdit

<div class="box-bg6">Clipped Background</div>


Complete Example: Borders & Backgrounds Together

 

<!DOCTYPE html>

<html lang="en">

<head>

    <meta charset="UTF-8">

    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">

    <title>CSS Borders & Backgrounds</title>

    <style>

        .box {

            border: 5px dashed red;

            border-radius: 15px;

            background: linear-gradient(to right, orange, yellow);

            box-shadow: 5px 5px 15px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);

            padding: 20px;

            text-align: center;

            width: 250px;

        }

    </style>

</head>

<body>

    <div class="box">Styled Box</div>

</body>

</html>

 


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