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csscss-selectorspseudo-class

Why is a pseudo-class so called?

a:hover

Why is it called a "pseudo-class"?

Are there any similarities with the concept of "class"?

Solution

  • In CSS terms, a class is a selector that starts with a full stop, e.g.

    .foo { ... }

    It would be used in the form

    <div class="foo">

    This use of "class" is more in the sense "a set or category of things having a common characteristic and differentiated from others by kind or quality", rather than borrowing from OO terminology.

    A pseudo class is "not quite a real one" as the user agent defines when and/or how much content qualifies (like :hover, :active, etc).