What's the Difference Between CSS Selectors `:first-child` and `:first-of-type`?

Elucidating the Distinction between :first-child and :first-of-type

Despite their seemingly similar definitions, :first-child and :first-of-type differ significantly in their selection criteria. To achieve a comprehensive understanding, let's explore the nuances that set them apart.

First-Child vs. First of Type

:first-child identifies the first element of any type within its parent element. On the other hand, :first-of-type specifically targets the first element of its own type within its parent element.

Consider the following HTML snippet:

<div class="parent">
  <div>Child 1</div>
  <div>Child 2</div>
  <p>Paragraph</p>
</div>

In this example, the selector '.parent > div:first-child' would match the element with the text "Child 1" because it is the first child of the '.parent' element. Meanwhile, the selector '.parent > div:first-of-type' would also match "Child 1" because it is the first element of the 'div' type within the parent.

Implications of the Distinction

:first-child prioritizes the order of children within the parent element, while :first-of-type focuses on the element's type regardless of its position among its siblings. This distinction can have ramifications in scenarios where the child elements belong to different types.

If the first child in our example is replaced with an 'h1' element, the :first-child selection would still target it. However, :first-of-type would now match the first 'div' element, effectively skipping the 'h1' due to its different type.

Summary

To summarize, :first-child represents the first child regardless of type, while :first-of-type specifically targets the first element of a specific type. This distinction enables greater flexibility and precision in selecting HTML elements based on their position and type within the parent element.

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