[disabled] or :disabled: Which is the Best Selector for Styling Disabled Inputs?

Which Selector to Use for Disabled Inputs?

When styling disabled inputs, developers have the option to use the CSS [disabled] attribute selector or the :disabled pseudo-class, but which one is superior?

Is [disabled] the Modern Way?

Contrary to popular belief, the [disabled] attribute selector is not the newer approach. It has been available since CSS2, while the :disabled pseudo-class was introduced in Selectors 3.

Technical Considerations

While both selectors serve the same purpose, there is a subtle technical difference. The [disabled] selector relies on the presence of a disabled attribute, which is a property of the underlying HTML element. However, the :disabled pseudo-class decouples the selector from the document and targets elements based on their enabled/disabled state as defined by the document language.

This distinction becomes important when styling non-HTML content or future HTML elements that may use different attributes to represent disabled state. In such cases, the [disabled] selector may not match the intended elements, while the :disabled pseudo-class will still apply.

Recommendation

Given the semantic benefits and browser compatibility, using the :enabled and :disabled pseudo-classes is recommended. These selectors convey the intended state explicitly and avoid reliance on specific attributes, making them more robust and future-proof.

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