What is the Purpose of the Asterisk (*) Prefix in CSS Properties?

Exploring the Purpose of Asterisk Preceding CSS Properties

In the context of CSS, you may have encountered code snippets like these:

body {
  font:13px/1.231 arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;
  *font-size:small;
  *font:x-small;
}

Here, asterisks (*) appear before certain CSS properties, raising questions about their significance.

Answering the Question: Asterisks in CSS Hacks

The asterisks are remnants of a browser-specific technique known as a CSS hack. Specifically, they target Internet Explorer versions 7 and below. By prefixing property names with an asterisk, developers could apply styles exclusively in Internet Explorer while leaving other browsers unaffected.

Further Explanation: CSS Hacks Targeting Internet Explorer

In older versions of Internet Explorer, a non-standard prefix could be added to CSS properties to limit their application. In this case, the asterisk (*) serves as that prefix.

*property: value

When an asterisk precedes a property name, it ensures that the style is applied in Internet Explorer 7 or earlier. However, it may become invalid or inconsistent as CSS standards evolve.

Usage and Caution:

While CSS hacks like the asterisk prefix can be useful for targeting specific browsers, it's crucial to note that they are considered invalid CSS. Additionally, relying on these techniques may lead to unexpected behavior as CSS specifications change over time.

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