SCSS variable within @include (Foundation 5)
In the world of web development, CSS preprocessors like Sass (Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets) have become increasingly popular for their ability to streamline and enhance the process of writing and managing stylesheets. One of the powerful features of Sass is its support for variables, which allow developers to store and reuse values throughout their codebase.
When it comes to using Sass variables within the context of the Foundation 5 CSS framework, there's a specific syntax that you need to be aware of. In this blog post, we'll dive into the details of how to properly access your Sass arrays (or maps) using the @include
directive in Foundation 5, with a focus on how this can be applied in a WordPress context.
Accessing Sass Maps in Foundation 5
In Foundation 5, the grid system is built using Sass maps, which are essentially key-value pairs that allow you to store and retrieve data. These maps are used to define the column widths and other grid-related properties.
To access the values stored in these Sass maps, you'll need to use the map-get()
function. The syntax for this looks like this:
@include grid-column(#{map-get($columns, 'article')});
@include grid-column(#{map-get($columns, 'aside')});
Here's a breakdown of what's happening:
$columns
: This is the name of the Sass map that stores the column width information.
'article'
and 'aside'
: These are the keys within the $columns
map that correspond to the column widths you want to use.
map-get()
: This is a Sass function that allows you to retrieve the value associated with a given key in a Sass map.
#{...}
: This is a Sass interpolation syntax that allows you to embed the value returned by map-get()
directly into the @include
directive.
By using this syntax, you can dynamically access the column widths stored in your Sass map and apply them to your grid layout.
Integrating with WordPress
Now, let's explore how you can leverage this Sass map access technique within a WordPress context. WordPress, being a popular content management system (CMS), often requires custom theme development to achieve specific design and functionality requirements.
One common scenario is the need to create a custom grid layout for your WordPress site. In this case, you can utilize the Sass map access syntax we discussed earlier to ensure your grid system is flexible and easy to maintain.
Here's an example of how you might implement this in a WordPress theme:
- Define your Sass map: In your theme's Sass file(s), create a Sass map that stores the column widths you want to use in your grid layout. For example:
$columns: (
'article': 8,
'aside': 4
);
- Use the map-get() function in your grid layout: In your theme's grid-related Sass partials or mixins, leverage the
map-get()
function to access the values stored in your $columns
map. For instance:
.grid-item {
@include grid-column(#{map-get($columns, 'article')});
@include breakpoint(medium) {
@include grid-column(#{map-get($columns, 'aside')});
}
}
In this example, the .grid-item
class will have a column width of 8 (based on the 'article'
key in the $columns
map) by default, and then switch to a column width of 4 (based on the 'aside'
key) on medium-sized screens and above.
- Integrate with Foundation 5 (or another grid system): If you're using the Foundation 5 framework in your WordPress theme, you can seamlessly integrate the Sass map access syntax within the Foundation 5 grid system. This allows you to leverage the power and flexibility of both Sass and the Foundation 5 grid.
.grid-item {
@include grid-column(#{map-get($columns, 'article')});
@include breakpoint(medium) {
@include grid-column(#{map-get($columns, 'aside')});
}
}
- Maintain and update the grid layout: As your WordPress site evolves and your design requirements change, you can easily update the values in your
$columns
Sass map without having to hunt down and modify multiple instances of hardcoded column widths throughout your codebase. This makes your grid system more maintainable and scalable in the long run.
Benefits of Using Sass Maps in WordPress Themes
Integrating Sass maps and the map-get()
function into your WordPress theme development workflow can provide several benefits:
-
Flexibility: By storing your column widths and other grid-related properties in a Sass map, you can easily adjust the layout and structure of your site without having to update multiple instances of hardcoded values.
-
Scalability: As your WordPress site grows and your design requirements expand, the use of Sass maps makes it easier to manage and update your grid system. You can add new keys to the map or modify existing values without having to refactor your entire codebase.
-
Consistency: By centralizing your grid-related properties in a Sass map, you can ensure a consistent and cohesive layout across your WordPress site. This helps maintain a polished and professional appearance for your users.
-
Readability: Accessing your grid properties through a Sass map, rather than using hardcoded values, can make your Sass code more readable and easier to understand for both you and other developers working on the project.
-
Integration with CSS frameworks: When using a CSS framework like Foundation 5 in your WordPress theme, the ability to access Sass maps within the framework's grid system can simplify the integration process and provide a more seamless development experience.
Conclusion
In the world of WordPress theme development, leveraging Sass maps and the map-get()
function can be a powerful technique for managing your grid layout and other design-related properties. By taking advantage of this Sass feature, you can create more flexible, scalable, and maintainable WordPress themes that adapt to the evolving needs of your project.
Remember, the key to successfully using Sass maps in your WordPress themes is to define your grid-related properties in a well-organized Sass map, and then use the map-get()
function to access those values within your grid-related Sass partials or mixins. This approach can help streamline your development workflow and ensure a consistent, responsive, and visually appealing layout for your WordPress site.
For more information on using Sass maps and the map-get()
function in your WordPress development projects, be sure to check out the Sitepoint article on using Sass maps. And if you're looking for a powerful web analytics tool to help you optimize your WordPress site's conversion rates, be sure to check out Flowpoint.ai.
Get a Free AI Website Audit
Automatically identify UX and content issues affecting your conversion rates with Flowpoint's comprehensive AI-driven website audit.