Why Do Safari and Chrome/Firefox Differ in Their Handling of Multi-Level `:not()` Selectors?

Testing :not() Selectors Cross-Browser: Quirks in Safari vs. Chrome/Firefox

In a recent query, a developer encountered inconsistencies when using :not() selectors in Safari compared to Chrome and Firefox. Investigating the case, we discovered a discrepancy in how these browsers handle multi-level selectors within :not().

Safari's Evolving :not() Implementation

Safari has recently implemented the level 4 specification of :not(), which introduces support for complex selectors as arguments. This allows for more sophisticated selector nesting, such as targeting elements that are not descendants of a specific parent.

Chrome/Firefox's Limitation with Multi-Level :not()

In contrast, Chrome and Firefox currently support only single-level selectors within :not(). Complex selectors, like "p div," are not recognized by these browsers. This is due to differences in the CSS specifications and browser implementations.

Potential Bug Report

The developer's observation of different rendering behavior for a multi-level :not() selector in Safari can be considered a potential bug. It is possible that Chrome and Firefox should be updated to follow the latest CSS specification and support more complex :not() arguments.

Implications for Developers

Developers who rely on complex :not() selectors for their web applications or stylesheets should be aware of this cross-browser inconsistency. If compatibility with older browsers is required, it may be necessary to use alternative selector patterns or employ polyfills to ensure consistent rendering across browsers.

Anticipated Changes

The situation is likely to evolve as browsers adopt the latest CSS specifications. It is expected that Chrome and Firefox will eventually implement the full power of :not() with multi-level support. This will bring cross-browser compatibility to the forefront and allow for more expressive and efficient CSS selectors.

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