Yes, CSS Is a Programming Language

I used to hear (and repeat) the phrase: “CSS isn't real programming.” But that sentiment ignores the complexity, logic, and constraints of modern CSS.

From cascade layers to custom properties, specificity battles to layout debugging — writing effective CSS requires a deep understanding of rules and flow.

One of the biggest turning points for me was working on a design system. Suddenly, naming conventions, composition, and inheritance became architectural problems — not just visual ones.

You don't have to love CSS. But you should respect it.

This talk on CSS architecture changed how I see the language.