Responsive design defines as an adaptive website design that can adjust itself according to the size variation of the screen without hampering the user experience and functionality. In responsive design, the text elements and size of the images change depending on the size of the screen.
Responsive design lets developers create a single combination comprising HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code for various platforms, devices, and browsers. Responsive design is agnostic to devices and aligns with the widely-used development philosophy of Don’t repeat yourself (DRY).
This article explains the development of responsive web design. It also explains the essential elements that enable it to work, as well as a detailed guide for creating or testing responsive internet apps.
The Evolution of Responsive Design
In the latter part of 1990, the time when browser wars were essentially reaching the (shortlived) final point, the majority of users only had only one internet browser (Internet Explorer) using only one operating system (Microsoft Windows). They used only one gadget (desktop) with display dimensions that were more or less the same across all devices.
In the end, web developers began making components whose dimensions were determined in percentages in relation to the window. This method allowed the components to be positioned to fit into the browser’s viewport. This concept became called ‘fluid design.’
“Responsive Web Design” for a wide range of devices used by users to access the web, which included considering the size of screens and orientations, browsers, and methods of interaction when making content for the various devices. The article changed the way web developers approach web design.
The market today has over 9000 mobile devices, each with particular dimensions and graphics processing capabilities. Google prefers mobile-friendly websites to its results. For 2019, it is clear that you may only increase your reach online with a responsive site.
What is Reactive Web Design Work?
There are numerous methods to create a responsive web design. In the first place, it is important to be aware of how your website responds to various display sizes. In the beginning, businesses designed their websites on the desktop layout but then took out certain sections as display sizes decreased.
Instead of this, mobile-first technology was developed. With this technique, the mobile view is linear and compatible with any device and can rearrange or alter the content as the display size grows, and browser features are made accessible.
The implementation of the hamburger menu can be seen as a responsive design at work. Smaller screen users can click this hamburger icon to open the navigation links. Users with larger displays can see all navigation links as a horizontal list. We’ll discuss various technical alternatives for implementation in the upcoming sections.
The viewport of HTML Meta Tag
Whichever method of responsive web design you’re using, it is essential to include the following tag inside your HTML code.
Let browsers reduce the logical CSS pixels to the size of the monitor. If you do not use this option, your browser will display as a desktop website and then scale it to the size of the screen, making the site difficult to navigate for websites.
Media Queries
It is commonly used to build responsive websites. They allow CSS to focus on specific areas of viewport sizes.
While media queries are still in use, relatively fewer options are available for this technique.
Elements
Utilizing the HTML element, you are able to apply media query syntax that lets you select the image that is displayed from an array of options. It supports the portrayal of the proper image according to a device’s particular viewpoints.
CSS Viewport Unit
The viewport’s width and height are depicted in their CSS units of VW and Vh, respectively. The VW and vh CSS units account for one percent of the size and width. Vmin represents one percent of the smaller dimension while Vmax is 1% of biggest dimension. These CSS units are flexible and aid in creating an adaptive web design.
CSS Columns
CSS multi-column layouts permit the creation of multiple text columns when the dimensions of the container grow. Let’s say, for instance, that you require columns that have minimum widths of 10rem with an interval of 2rem each.
CSS Flexbox and Grid
You can utilize CSS Flexbox as well as CSS Grid to arrange child elements according to the contents and space available. The main difference in Flexbox and Grid is that Flexbox is designed for one-dimensional layouts in which elements extend to each line. Thus, columns might not be lined up. However, Grid is for two-dimensional layouts that have distinct columns as well as rows.
JavaScript RWD Option
You can make use of JavaScript to determine the dimensions of the viewport and tell the computer to react accordingly.
When a device rotates or a browser window changes in size, the window, and the element’s dimensions alter.
Browser support
Responsive web design technologies provide excellent support for browsers. Additionally, CSS Grid is a great option for web design. 95% of modern browsers support CSS Grid Option. Also, it is advised to test your website using a variety of resolutions, resolutions, and browsers.
Best PHP development company considers all these above-mentioned elements before making highly responsive websites.
