what is order in css?

The `order` property in CSS is used within Flexbox and Grid layouts to control the sequence in which flex or grid items appear inside their container, irrespective of their order in the HTML markup. This property can be incredibly useful for responsively adjusting the layout of a page without having to change the HTML structure.

Here's how `order` works in different contexts:

In Flexbox:

Flex items are, by default, displayed and laid out in the same order as they appear in the source document. The `order` property can change this visual order.

By default, all flex items have an `order` value of 0. Increasing or decreasing this value can move items forward or backward in the visual presentation. Items with a higher `order` value will be placed after items with a lower `order` value.

Example:

.item1 {

  order: 2;

}

.item2 {

  order: 1;

}

Even if `.item1` appears before `.item2` in the HTML, `.item2` will be displayed first in the flex container due to its lower `order` value.

In Grid:

Although `order` is less commonly used in Grid layouts compared to Flexbox, it functions similarly. You can control the order of grid items independently of their placement in the grid areas, but it's generally recommended to use the grid placement properties (grid-row, grid-column) for arranging items in a grid context.

Syntax:

The `order` property takes an integer value (which can be negative, zero, or positive):

.item {

  order: 3; /* Places the item in the 3rd order visually */

}

Practical Use:

The `order` property is particularly useful in responsive design. For example, you might want a sidebar (item1) to appear before the main content (item2) on a mobile view even though in the HTML, `item2` comes before `item1. By using the order` property, you can achieve this visual change without altering the HTML structure, enhancing the flexibility of your layouts while maintaining a logical document flow for screen readers and non-CSS scenarios.