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CSS

Posted by John Fisher
John Fisher
7,974 Points

What's the difference between these selectors?

Hi

I'm having trouble understanding what the difference is exactly between these two selectors...

div span {
color: blue;
}

and

div > span {
color: blue;
}

Don't they do the same thing?

5 Answers

moonshine
moonshine
8,449 Points
moonshine
moonshine
8,449 Points 
div > span {
    color: blue;
}

The ">" selects spans that are immediate children of a div.

<div>
    <span> <!-- selected -->
        <span> <!-- not selected -->
        </span>
    </span>
</div>

Likewise:

div span {
    color: blue;
}

<div>
    <span> <!-- selected -->
        <span> <!-- selected -->
        </span>
    </span>
</div>
Robert Richey
PLUS
Robert Richey
Courses Plus Student 16,352 Points
Robert Richey
Robert Richey
Courses Plus Student 16,352 Points

Hi John,

When two elements are separated with a space, that is considered an explicit Descendant selector, which - in your example - will select all span elements that are children of div elements, no matter how far down the hierarchical tree they go.

Whereas the greater than symbol is a Child selector that will select all span elements that are direct children of div elements.

Hope this was helpful!

Cheers

Brian Romine
Brian Romine
9,518 Points
Brian Romine
Brian Romine
9,518 Points

Floris has it, > indicates only immediate children.

div > span would select ONLY the spans that are direct children of a div.

div span would select ALL spans that are children of a div.

Ayoub AIT IKEN
Ayoub AIT IKEN
12,314 Points
Ayoub AIT IKEN
Ayoub AIT IKEN
12,314 Points

in addition to what Floris Creyf has said, the child selector ( div > span ). would also select and other span tag that is a child of a div tag.

<div>
    <span> <!-- selected -->
        <span> <!-- not selected -->
        </span>
    </span>
</div>
<div>
    <span> <!-- selected --></span>
</div>
John Fisher
John Fisher
7,974 Points
John Fisher
John Fisher
7,974 Points

Right, after a bit of experimenting in my text editor with your examples, I think I've got it.

Thanks.