Book review – Instant LESS CSS Preprocessor How-to by Alex Libby

I recently received a copy of Instant LESS CSS Pre-processor by Alex Libby from the publisher and thought it appropriate to post a quick review. The book is a short read (81 pages) and comes with a number of code samples.

I found this book to be very helpful for those just learning about LESS and for those who need a refresher on the core concepts. I particularly like the approach indicating those parts of the book which are core knowledge (“Must know”) and those ancillary parts (“Should know”). This approach helps the reader focus on those areas which they can immediately use.

LESS can significantly reduce the amount of time you spend coding CSS (particularly when you are revising your CSS because client wants/ needs have changed). Emphasis on variables and mixins is great. Lots of specific examples are provided. I tested the majority of the example code in various modern browsers and the examples worked flawlessly. They also demonstrated the core concepts and illustrated why LESS can change the way you develop with CSS.

Various tools to work with LESS code are discussed (as well as pertinent JavaScript libraries). The numerous examples reinforce the book and help you work with the appropriate tools (WinLess, SimpLESS, LESS Parser, and Crunch! are discussed (along with online alternatives).

Overall, I recommend this book as a useful addition to your library of CSS topics. Adhering to the principles discussed in the book will save you considerable time when modifying your styles.

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