Best way to include CSS? Why use @import?

Evaluating @import: Ponder before you import

While the @import rule offers a clean way to organize smaller style sheets and manage dependencies, bear in mind it loads files sequentially, which can lead to a noticeable slowdown in larger projects.

Striking a balance between speed and structure

It's essential to strike a balance between optimizing for speed and maintaining code structure and organization. In certain cases, @import may be handy for maintaining a tidy codebase, but be mindful of the possible performance implications.

Preprocessors: Your wardens of style

Turning to CSS preprocessors like SASS or LESS can aid in managing and organizing your stylesheets. These tools let you write more sophisticated and maintainable CSS that is later compiled into regular stylesheets, which can be linked via the <link> element.

Browser caching: Can 'cache' me if you can!

Modern browsers cache stylesheets after initial load. While this slightly alleviates the impact of using @import on subsequent visits, remember that first impressions count and ensure your site loads rapidly from the get-go.

CSS Frameworks: Tailwind your style

CSS Frameworks like Tailwind provide utility classes to build designs directly in your markup, which can potentially reduce the need for @import by simplifying your CSS structure.

Embracing minification for speed

Most minifying tools work seamlessly with <link>, optimizing your stylesheets before browser requests, giving your site a significant performance boost and complementing existing browser caching mechanisms.

Taming your units: em to the rescue

Combining @import and relative units ('em') can improve responsiveness and enhance cross-browser compatibility.

Reducing HTTP requests: Keep it low

Combining relevant stylesheets reduces the number of HTTP requests, speeding up initial load times of your site.

Combating FOUC: Don’t get caught without style

When using @import, you risk a flash of unstyled content (FOUC), which happens when HTML renders before your styles are applied. Consider @import for media queries or unimportant styles to prevent FOUC.

Diving deeper: 'Don’t use @import'

For those wanting a deeper technical explanation of why @import can impact performance, this blog post by Steve Souders is a valuable resource: http://www.stevesouders.com/blog/2009/04/09/dont-use-import/

Efficient stylesheet management: Keep it lean and clean

Link to minimal stylesheets in your HTML and refactor your styles using CSS preprocessors. These tools merge and streamline styles before deployment, reducing the need for @import and increasing efficiency.