Grid system mixin from scratch in SASS - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to define a simple grid container with flex display.

SASS

@mixin grid-container() {
  display: [1];
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Ablock

Bflex

Cgrid

Dinline

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 'block' instead of 'flex' will not create a flexible grid.

Using 'inline' will not allow wrapping of grid items.

The grid container uses display: flex; to create a flexible layout that wraps items.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the mixin to set the width of a grid column based on a fraction of total columns.

SASS

@mixin grid-column($span, $total-columns) {
  width: ([1] / $total-columns) * 100%;
}

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A$span

B$total-columns

C$span * $total-columns

D100

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using $total-columns in numerator instead of $span.

Multiplying instead of dividing will give incorrect width.

The width is calculated by dividing the number of columns to span by the total columns, then converting to percentage.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the mixin to add gutter space between grid columns using margin.

SASS

@mixin grid-column($span, $total-columns, $gutter) {
  width: calc( ( $span / $total-columns ) * 100% - [1] );
  margin-right: $gutter;
}

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Acalc(#{$gutter})

B$gutter * 2

Ccalc($gutter)

D$gutter

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using $gutter directly inside calc() without interpolation causes errors.

Not using calc() at all will cause invalid CSS.

In Sass, to use a variable inside calc(), you must interpolate it with #{$variable}.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a responsive grid column that adjusts width on smaller screens.

SASS

@mixin responsive-column($span, $total-columns, $gutter) {
  width: calc( ( $span / $total-columns ) * 100% - [1] );
  margin-right: $gutter;

  @media (max-width: [2]) {
    width: 100%;
    margin-right: 0;
  }
}

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A#{$gutter}

B10rem

C5rem

D100%

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Not interpolating $gutter inside calc() causes invalid CSS.

Using 100% as max-width in media query is invalid.

The gutter variable is interpolated inside calc() for width calculation. The media query uses a max-width of 10rem for responsiveness.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a complete grid system mixin with container and column styles.

SASS

@mixin grid-system($total-columns, $gutter) {
  display: [1];
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  margin-left: calc(-1 * [2]);

  > * {
    padding-left: [3];
  }
}

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Aflex

B$gutter

Ccalc($gutter / 2)

Dblock

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 'block' instead of 'flex' breaks the flex layout.

Not using half gutter values causes uneven spacing.

The container uses display: flex; and negative left margin equal to half the gutter to offset padding. Each child gets left padding of half the gutter for consistent spacing.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a grid system mixin in Sass?

easy

A. To create flexible column layouts with reusable code

B. To add colors to text elements

C. To write JavaScript functions inside Sass

D. To load external fonts automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of mixins in Sass

   Mixins let you reuse code blocks with parameters to customize styles.

2. Step 2: Identify what a grid system mixin does

   A grid system mixin helps create column layouts that adapt easily by changing parameters.

3. Final Answer:

   To create flexible column layouts with reusable code -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Grid mixin = flexible columns [OK]

Hint: Grid mixins simplify layout by reusing column code [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing mixins with variables
• Thinking mixins add colors only
• Assuming mixins run JavaScript

2. Which of the following is the correct way to define a simple grid mixin with columns and gap parameters in Sass?

easy

A. @mixin grid($columns, $gap) { display: flex; columns: $columns; gap: $gap; }

B. @mixin grid($columns, $gap) { display: block; grid-columns: $columns; grid-gap: $gap; }

C. @mixin grid($columns, $gap) { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat($columns, 1fr); gap: $gap; }

D. @mixin grid($columns, $gap) { display: grid; columns: $columns; gap: $gap; }

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the display property for grid layout

   Grid layouts require display: grid;, not flex or block.

2. Step 2: Verify grid-template-columns and gap syntax

   Using grid-template-columns: repeat($columns, 1fr); sets equal columns, and gap: $gap; sets spacing.

3. Final Answer:

   @mixin grid($columns, $gap) { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat($columns, 1fr); gap: $gap; } -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Grid needs display:grid and repeat() [OK]

Hint: Use display:grid and repeat() for columns [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using display:flex instead of grid
• Using incorrect property names like columns
• Missing repeat() function for columns

3. Given this Sass mixin and usage:

@mixin grid($cols, $gap) {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat($cols, 1fr);
  gap: $gap;
}

.container {
  @include grid(3, 2rem);
}

What CSS will be generated for .container?

medium

A. .container { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 2rem; }

B. .container { display: flex; columns: 3; gap: 2rem; }

C. .container { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 3fr; gap: 2rem; }

D. .container { display: block; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 2rem; }

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand mixin parameters and usage

   The mixin sets grid display, columns with repeat, and gap using passed values 3 and 2rem.

2. Step 2: Translate Sass mixin to CSS output

   Including the mixin with (3, 2rem) generates CSS with display: grid;, grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);, and gap: 2rem;.

3. Final Answer:

   .container { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 2rem; } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Mixin params = CSS properties [OK]

Hint: Repeat columns with 1fr for equal width [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing flex with grid display
• Writing grid-template-columns: 3fr instead of repeat()
• Using display:block by mistake

4. Identify the error in this Sass grid mixin:

@mixin grid($cols, $gap) {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat($cols 1fr);
  gap: $gap;
}

medium

A. gap property is invalid in grid layouts

B. Using display:flex instead of display:grid

C. Mixin parameters should be $columns and $gaps

D. Missing comma between $cols and 1fr in repeat() function

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax of repeat() function

   The repeat() function requires a comma between the number and the size, like repeat($cols, 1fr).

2. Step 2: Verify other properties

   Display is correctly set to grid, and gap is valid for grid layouts.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing comma between $cols and 1fr in repeat() function -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   repeat() needs comma [OK]

Hint: Always put a comma inside repeat() between count and size [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting comma in repeat()
• Confusing display:flex with grid
• Thinking gap is invalid in grid

5. You want a responsive grid mixin that changes columns based on screen width. Which Sass code correctly adds a media query inside the mixin to set 2 columns on screens smaller than 600px and 4 columns otherwise?

hard

A. @mixin responsive-grid($gap) { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: $gap; @media (min-width: 600px) { grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); } }

B. @mixin responsive-grid($gap) { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); gap: $gap; @media (max-width: 600px) { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); } }

C. @mixin responsive-grid($gap) { display: flex; gap: $gap; @media (max-width: 600px) { flex-direction: column; } }

D. @mixin responsive-grid($gap) { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); gap: $gap; @media (min-width: 600px) { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); } }

Solution

1. Step 1: Set default columns for large screens

   The mixin sets 4 columns by default using repeat(4, 1fr).

2. Step 2: Add media query for smaller screens

   Inside @media (max-width: 600px), columns change to 2 with repeat(2, 1fr).

3. Step 3: Confirm display and gap properties

   Display is grid and gap uses the parameter, which is correct.

4. Final Answer:

   @mixin responsive-grid($gap) { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); gap: $gap; @media (max-width: 600px) { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); } } -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Default 4 cols, max-width 600px = 2 cols [OK]

Hint: Use max-width media query for smaller screens [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using min-width instead of max-width for small screens
• Setting flex display instead of grid
• Reversing column counts in media query