Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework that emphasizes atomic classes for styling web components, making it possible for developers to create custom designs without leaving their HTML. The @apply directive is one of Tailwind CSS’s features that enables developers to combine multiple utility classes into a single reusable class.
There could be several reasons why @apply wasn’t used in this particular instance:
Project Requirements: The specific design requirements of the project might not have needed the compilation of utility classes into a single class. Sometimes, developers prefer to apply utility classes directly within the HTML for better readability or to follow a convention within their existing codebase.
Preference for Raw Utility Classes: Some developers prefer the clarity and straightforwardness of using raw utility classes directly in HTML rather than abstracting them away. This method can make it easier to see all styles applied at a glance without needing to navigate style sheets.
Dynamic Styles: In scenarios where styles are meant to change dynamically—such as through JavaScript or based on different screen sizes and conditions—it might be more practical to apply and manipulate individual utility classes rather than grouping them with @apply.
Maintainability and Flexibility: Using Tailwind’s utility classes can sometimes be more maintainable than creating custom classes, as it avoids the need to constantly update a separate CSS file. Utility-first approaches can also be seamlessly integrated with component-based frameworks like React, Vue, or Angular.
Cleaner HTML: While @apply is great for keeping HTML clean, some teams prefer uniformly applying Tailwind classes directly in HTML to ensure consistency and comprehensibility of style usage directly within the markup, thus avoiding the proliferation of custom class names.
In conclusion, whether or not @apply is used often depends on the developer’s style, the team’s coding standards, or the specific requirements of the project. Each approach—using @apply or sticking with raw utility classes—has its own merit and benefits based on context.
